Candytuft is a common name for flowering plants in the genus Iberis under the family Brassicaceae (the mustard, crucifer, or cabbage family). There are over 30 annuals, subshrubs, evergreens, and perennially species native to Africa, Asia, and Europe (old world).
Some of the popular species include I. sempervirens (perennial or evergreen candytuft), I. amara (rocket, wild or bitter candytuft), I. gibraltarica (Gibraltar candytuft), I umbellata (garden or globe candytuft), Iberis ciliata, and Iberis procumbens (dune candytuft).
Being the commonly cultivated, the word candytufts synonymously means Iberis sempervirens, with one of its popular cultivars being Snowflake. Many people love this spring bloomer for its eye-catching pure white flowers in tight clusters. However, this evergreen foliage plant also serves as a groundcover.
Another thing to smile about is that rabbits don’t usually eat candytufts, just like most of the other spring bloomers like ornamental onions, daffodil, crocus, and calendula lamb’s ear, foxglove, alyssum, catmint, among others.
However, just because rabbits, hares, and cottontails don’t like candytufts doesn’t mean they cannot eat this ground-hugging plant with leathery leaves about 1-3 inches long. They may nibble drought tolerant plant (once it has established itself) but isn’t in their most preferred choices.
Instead, your rabbits will go for other plants and ornamentals that they love, such as gazanias, morning glory, nasturtium, pansies, impatiens, cosmos, bachelor’s buttons, among many others.
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Since candytufts are rabbit resistant and drought resistant, had stunningly beautiful flowers, is evergreen and rabbit resistant, why not include it as your garden, pot, and flowerbed ornamental plants.
All you need to ensure is that you have well-drained soil and during winters, avoid heavy clay soils as they don’t favor them.