Botanical Name: Iberis sempervirens ‘Purity’

Common Name: Candytuft

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in USDA Zones 3–9

Size: 8–12" Tall × 12–18" Spread

Growth Habit: Low-Growing, Mounding to Mat-Forming Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade (Best Bloom in Full Sun)

Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Poor or Rocky Soils

Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Early to Mid Spring

Fertilizer: Minimal; Light Feeding in Early Spring if Needed

Features: Pure White Flowers, Evergreen Foliage, Deer Resistant, Excellent Groundcover

Uses: Borders, Edging, Rock Gardens, Slopes, Groundcover, Containers

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Permitted

See our complete Candytuft Growth & Care Guide for more in depth care details.

More About Iberis ‘Purity’

Iberis ‘Purity’ is a classic evergreen candytuft valued for its clean structure and dependable spring bloom. In early to mid-spring, the plant produces dense clusters of bright white flowers that form a crisp blanket over the foliage, creating sharp contrast along edges, borders, and rock gardens. Outside of bloom, its dark green, evergreen foliage maintains a tidy, low-growing mound that adds year-round definition to the landscape, especially in milder climates.

This variety thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, where it develops a compact, uniform habit without becoming woody or leggy. Once established, Iberis ‘Purity’ is drought tolerant and low maintenance, making it especially well suited for slopes, stone walls, and other challenging areas where consistent performance matters. Its restrained growth and classic appearance make it easy to integrate into both formal and naturalistic designs.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, Iberis ‘Purity’ proved exceptionally reliable, returning each spring with uniform growth and consistent bloom coverage. The flower display was dense but controlled, avoiding the uneven or patchy flowering sometimes seen in older candytuft plantings. We also noted strong evergreen foliage quality, with plants holding their shape and color well through winter without excessive dieback.

What really sets ‘Purity’ apart is its long-term dependability. Year after year, it maintained a clean mound without splitting, thinning, or requiring heavy pruning to refresh its form. We especially like it for gardeners who want a no-nonsense, classic groundcover that looks intentional in every season and performs just as well in large plantings as it does in refined garden borders.

Purity vs. Other Candytuft Varieties

Iberis ‘Purity’ stands out as the most classic and timeless candytuft in this group. Its bright, pure white flowers create a clean, uniform spring display that feels crisp and architectural, especially when planted in repetition. The evergreen foliage and balanced, mounded habit give it strong year-round structure, making it as valuable outside of bloom as it is during peak flowering.

Compared to ‘Snow Flurries’, Purity feels slightly more restrained and traditional, while Snow Flurries leans heavier on sheer flower density. Against ‘Candy Sorbet’, Purity is cleaner and more formal, lacking the blush tones but offering a more consistent white presentation. Where Candy Sorbet adds softness and color variation, Purity delivers simplicity and reliability that works in almost any design. Gardeners choose Purity for a classic white groundcover that never feels trendy or dated.