Aubrieta—or “False Rockcress” as many of us call it—is a charming, low-growing plant. Once these little beauties are fully grown, most varieties only reach about 4 to 6 inches in height. Because they stay so compact, you don’t *have* to prune them, but there are a few great reasons why grabbing your garden shears is actually a smart move.
Preventing Self-Seeding
If you want to propagate your Aubrieta, you can easily let nature do the heavy lifting by sowing seeds. All you have to do is leave the spent flowers on the plant. Eventually, they’ll turn into seed pods where the seeds ripen and drop. However, if you want to keep your garden tidy and prevent the plant from spreading uncontrollably, it’s important to give it a good trim right after the blooming season ends to remove those old flowers.
Encouraging a Second Bloom
Pruning has a pretty awesome side effect, too. Usually, after the first flowers fade, the plant puts all its energy into making those seeds I mentioned. If you cut it back and stop that process, the plant often rewards you by pushing out a second flush of flowers in late summer. While this second round usually isn’t quite as showy as the spring explosion, it’s still a great way to enjoy those colors twice a year!
Getting Ready for Winter
Even though these plants originally come from the Mediterranean, they are surprisingly hardy and can stay outdoors all winter long. They’ll have a much easier time handling the cold if you give them a haircut at the start of autumn. Don’t be shy—you can cut the shoots back by about half. If your local forecast calls for a particularly brutal cold snap, it’s a good idea to give them a little extra protection. You can cover them with:
- Brushwood or evergreen boughs
- Dried leaves
- Bark mulch
