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Borodinia spp.
rockcress
SunFull Sun – Part Shade
Overview
Borodinia is a genus of biennial to short-lived perennial herbs in the mustard family (Brassicaceae), native to North America and segregated from the rock cresses formerly placed in Arabis and Boechera. Plants form a basal rosette of stalked leaves in the first year and send up slender, mostly unbranched flowering stems 12-40 inches (30-100 cm) tall in the second. The stem leaves are smaller, alternate, and often clasp the stem. In spring the stems carry narrow racemes of small four-petalled flowers in white to pale pink, followed by long, flattened seed pods that stand erect or arch outward along the stem. Borodinia grows on rocky slopes, bluffs, open woods, and stream banks, often on calcareous or thin soils. The plants are inconspicuous outside the brief flowering period and are mainly of botanical and native-flora interest rather than garden display. Most species are short-lived, persisting through self-seeding rather than long-lived crowns.
Native Range
Native to North America, especially the eastern and central United States and adjacent Canada, on limestone bluffs, rocky slopes, open woodland, and stream banks.Suggested Uses
Grown in rock gardens, native plant collections, and naturalistic plantings on lean, well-drained soils. The plants suit restoration of rocky bluff and woodland-edge habitats within their native range.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'4"
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Small white to pale pink flowers open in spring, roughly April to June. The flowering period is brief, after which long seed pods develop. Plants then set seed and many die or decline.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to pale pinkFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established