candytuft

[ kan-dee-tuhft ]

noun

1. a plant of the genus Iberis, of the mustard family, especially I. umbellata, an ornamental plant with tufted pink, violet, purple, or red flowers, originally from the island of Crete.

candytuft

/ ˈkændɪˌtʌft /

noun

1. either of two species of Iberis grown as annual garden plants for their umbels ("tufts") of white, red, or purplish flowers See iberis

Word History and Origins

Origin of candytuft¹

1570–80; Candy (variant of Candia ) + tuft

Word History and Origins

Origin of candytuft¹

C17: from Candy, obsolete variant of Candia (Crete) + tuft

Example Sentences

Evergreen Candytuft and Ivy leaves were found to be especially good at trapping pollutant particles, large and small.

From Science Daily

Candytuft and Marjoram also performed well in washing off smaller particles of pollution.

From Science Daily

Among flower seeds, the shortest-lived are delphinium, aster, candytuft and phlox.

From Seattle Times

For a more informal assembly, use rounds of white birch bark to cover pots of candytuft, Christmas rose, and crocus.

From Southern Living

I watched eagerly for certain plantings of Poppies, Candytuft, Morning-glories, and even the indomitable Portulaca; not one appeared.

From Project Gutenberg