Aubrieta

noun

Au·brie·ta

ˌȯ-brē-ˈe-tə,

ˌȯ-ˈbrē-,

ˌō-

: a genus of Eurasian perennial herbs (family Cruciferae) that often grow in dense mats, are cultivated in rock gardens, and have showy, usually purplish flowers

aubrieta or aubretia

ō-ˈbrē-sh(ē-)ə,

ȯ-

or less commonly aubrietia

ō-ˈbrē-sh(ē-)ə,

ȯ-

plural aubrietas or aubretias also aubrietias : a plant of the genus Aubrieta

The technique to keep aubrietas going year after year is to shear them hard as they finish their display, so that they develop a new cushion of tight foliage.—

Val Bourne, Daily Telegraph (London), 16 Apr. 2011

I used to be snooty about aubretia, but that was before I saw it growing wild on limestone cliffs in Greece. It's a beautiful plant, and one which will thrive on the driest wall.—

Christopher Stocks, Independent on Sunday (London), 22 Aug. 2004