Published by Brian Wagner on 11/7/25 in “Growing Flowers from Seed.”
Aubrieta x cultorum (commonly called garden aubrieta) is a hybrid species within the Brassicaceae family, created primarily from Aubrieta deltoidea and related southeastern European species. It’s among the earliest spring-flowering rock garden perennials, known for its cascading mats of violet, pink, or magenta blooms that spill over walls and rocky slopes.
Its evergreen foliage allow it to persist through winter in milder climates because of a natural antifreeze pigment in its leaves – and has become a stalwart symbol of rock garden cultivation since the late nineteenth century. It’s also one of the earliest documented ornamental hybrids in European horticulture – originating in the mid-1800’s. Garden Aubrieta has a cascading growth habit, pouring over the edges of rock walls.
Growing from Seed
Growing from seed is very easy and can be undertaken by the newest of newbies. Seeds have a non-deep physiological dormancy which is actually quite common in the Brassicaceae and Asteraceae plant families. Fresh seeds will resist germination without a month or so of cold stratification, but most gardeners will be purchasing commercial seeds anyways (which are non-dormant by springtime). Seeds will germinate optimally around 21C (70F) and prefer light to germinate, hence surface-sowing will produce better germination. Seeds should germinate within 7-10 days, and plants will be ready for the garden by Day 90.