Hutchinsia Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 25th Nov 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Hutchinsia plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Hutchinsia features delicate white or pale pink flowers and fine feathery foliage. It is an excellent choice for adding subtle beauty and texture to rock gardens or borders.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soil and partial to full sun exposure. Well-suited for alpine or rock gardens due to its compact size and growing habit.
- General Care: Requires minimal care. Drought-tolerant once established and benefits from occasional deadheading to encourage more blooms.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Chamois Cress is perfect for beginner gardeners. Its low maintenance and hardiness make it a forgiving and rewarding choice for small garden spaces.
Slenderweed, Chamois Cress, and Oval Purse: Cultivation & Garden Use
Hutchinsia plants are small hardy perennials that carry tiny white flowers atop green lobed foliage.
As an alpine plant they are great for use in rock gardens.
Hutchinsia alpina (Chamois Cress) by Bárbol.
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Hutchinsia Plant Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Hutchinsia, Prostrate Hutchinsia, Chamois Cress, Oval Purse, Slenderweed.Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: Up to 12 inches (30 cm), often prostrate.
Native: Northern America, Europe, Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 4 to 8.
Flowers: Spring through to summer.
Flower Details: White. Racemes. Four petals. Tiny.
Foliage: Small opposite leaves.
Sow Outside: Seeds: 1/4 inch (6 mm). Germination time: two weeks. In summer from new seed. Spacing 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 cm).
Sow Inside: No.
Requirements and care: Full sunlight (cool areas) through to full shade (warm areas). Good drainage. Soil pH 6.0 to 7.5. Moist soil. Provide a mulch to maintain soil moisture and to keep the soil cool. Regular watering during dry periods. Divide regularly as Hutchinsia tend to be short lived. Propagate: by dividing in the spring or from cuttings in the summer.
Miscellaneous: Synonymous with Hounungia.
How to Grow Hutchinsia Plants in the Garden
It is best to grow Hutchinsia plants outside in the garden from the off.
The seeds should be planted at a depth of about 6 mm (1/4 inch) and spaced about 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) apart.
Hutchinsia should be grown in an area of the garden that is partly shaded and has good drainage.
Ideally the soil should be of pH 6 to 7.5, moist and cool.
Caring for hutchinsea
Once growing it is necessary to water Hutchinsia regularly during the drier months. Suply with mulch to help keep the roots cool.
As Hutchinsia have short lives, they should be regularly divided in the spring, or cuttings took in the summer to produce more plants.
Common Questions
How many members does the Hutchinsia genus have?
The Hutchinsia genus includes just a few species. The most well-known is Hutchinsia alpina, commonly known as Alpine Rock-Cress.
Do members of Hutchinsia make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Hutchinsia alpina can make a lovely addition to rock gardens or alpine plantings due to its small size, cushion-like growth habit, and delicate white flowers.
Which Hutchinsia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
Hutchinsia alpina is the most commonly grown species in this genus due to its attractive, compact growth and white, spring flowers.
Are members of the Hutchinsia plant genus fragrant?
Hutchinsia species are not known for their fragrance.
What is the perfect location to grow Hutchinsia?
Hutchinsia alpina prefers a sunny to partially shaded spot with well-drained, gritty soil, typical of alpine conditions.
Is Hutchinsia invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Currently, Hutchinsia is not considered invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Hutchinsia plants from my garden?
To remove Hutchinsia, carefully dig around their root systems using a shovel, gently lift them out, and dispose of the plants and roots properly.
Summary
The Hutchinsia genus belongs to the Brassicaceae family, also known as the mustard family. These small, herbaceous plants, found in Europe and Asia, are recognized for their white or pink blooms.
Hutchinsia is suitable for full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Regular watering is necessary for optimal growth. Propagation is typically by seeds, sown in spring or fall.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Hutchinsia plants. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Caladium, Scilla plant, and Tecophilaea plants.
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