Candytuft 'White Pinnacle' is an easy-going annual which grows and flowers extremely fast to form drifts of densely headed flowers in pristine white all through summer. Its low, spreading nature lends itself to filling gaps in borders and containers or for edging a sunny path and it provides useful ground cover in poor soils. The dainty flowers smell lovely and are good for attracting hoverflies and other pollinators. 'White Pinnacle' is especially well suited to cut flowers as it boasts tall stems which make airy additions to bouquets. After the flowers have finished they leave behind beautiful whirls of green seed pods which can be used in dry arrangements. Height: 30cm (12"). Spread: 40cm (16").
Culinary note: Both the leaves and flowers of candytuft can be eaten raw and have a taste similar to that of a sweet broccoli. For more details about edible flowers click here.
Growing Information
Sow from spring to early summer outdoors where they are to flower. Prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth before sowing. Sow 3mm (1/8in) deep in rows 30cm (12in) apart. Germination usually takes approximately 21 days. Seed can also be sown outdoors in early autumn for overwintering and earlier flowering.
When large enough to handle thin out to 15cm (6in) apart.
Sowing Information
Sow outdoors where they are to flower. Before sowing, prepare the ground well by raking until the soil is fine and crumbly and remove any large stones. Sow 6mm (1/4") deep, in rows 30cm (12") apart, or scatter seed in beds or borders as a gap filler and lightly cover over. Thin out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle, to about 30cm (12") apart.
