Arabis purpurea is a mat forming evergreen of loose habit. Interestingly the seed was collected from a plant growing on a dark shady dry bank in Cyprus. Here, situated open to the sun and flowering well. The long stalks hold four petalled flowers of a delicate pink with an equally delicate scent. Gradually the individual flowers open around the centre of the terminal whorl of buds. Once flowered and if the seeds are not needed, clip over to refresh the foliage or this species will outgrow its space. It also becomes woody at the base and left too long develops much dead dry leaf at the centre. The growing leaves are covered in a mat of fine white hairs giving a grey appearance to the foliage.