Alba Lithodora

Alba Lithodora (Lithodora diffusa 'Alba') is a pure, pristine flowering groundcover that carpets the ground in a dense mat of small, dark evergreen leaves smothered in a profusion of snowy white, five-petaled trumpet flowers throughout spring and into early summer. The clean, brilliant white blooms create a striking contrast against the deep green foliage, giving this low-growing spreader a crisp, jewel-box appearance that elevates rock gardens, wall edges, and sloped garden beds with elegant simplicity. Compact, trailing stems hug the ground tightly, filling gaps and covering surfaces with a uniform, weed-suppressing mat of fine-textured evergreen foliage year-round.

Grown from Professional Grade root systems, Alba Lithodora is an exceptional choice for acidic-soil gardens, Pacific Northwest landscapes, cottage rock gardens, and container edges where its mat-forming, cascading habit can be displayed at its best advantage. It thrives in well-drained, acidic to slightly acidic soils in full sun to light part shade and is particularly striking when allowed to cascade over the edges of raised beds, stone walls, and terrace plantings in spring bloom. Pair with Erica, Calluna, Rhododendron, and Pieris as acid-loving companions.

Why You'll Love It

• Brilliant Snowy White Spring Blooms: A profusion of pure white five-petaled trumpet flowers smothers the dark evergreen mat in spring, creating a striking, high-contrast floral carpet that is among the most eye-catching rock garden displays of the season.
• Dense Evergreen Groundcover Mat: Compact, tightly spreading stems covered in small dark green leaves form a weed-suppressing evergreen mat that maintains attractive garden coverage through all four seasons, with or without bloom.
• Rock Garden & Wall Cascade Specialist: Low, trailing habit is perfectly suited for flowing over rock garden ledges, raised bed edges, and stone walls — the cascading stems and abundant blooms create a spectacular spring waterfall effect.
• Acid-Soil Garden Companion: Thrives in the acidic soil conditions preferred by rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, and pieris — a beautiful, harmonious companion in woodland and Pacific Northwest-style acid garden designs.
• Year-Round Evergreen Interest: Dark, fine-textured evergreen foliage maintains a neat, attractive garden presence through all seasons, providing groundcover structure and deep green color even during winter months.

These 4" healthy live plants thrive in full sun to light part shade in well-draining, acidic to slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5). Acidic soil conditions are essential for best performance — amend with peat, pine bark, or sulfur if your native soil is neutral to alkaline. Water consistently until established, then maintain moderate, even moisture. Best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 6–9. Mature height: 4–6 inches; spread: 12–24 inches. Blooms spring to early summer. Trim lightly after blooming to maintain a compact, tidy mat and encourage dense new foliage growth. Do not cut back into old wood.