Annuals and perennials, normally low and mat-forming. Typically spring flowering, 4-petalled, white, pink or purple. Found in rocky area, cliff and sand dunes, so suited for a full sun position, on walls, rock gardens, crevices etc. Variegated foliage forms adds to their interest.
The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies and some species are known to be larval foodplants for orange-tip butterflies.