Items 1 to 7 of 7 total
Items 1 to 7 of 7 total
Alyssum
Uses:
- Container Spillers
- Annual Groundcover
- Edging & Bedding Plant
- Hanging Baskets
Features:
- Low-Growing Fragrant Flowers
- Long Bloom Season
- Easy Care Annual
Sunlight:
- Partial Sun to Full Sun
- 5+ Hours of Direct Sun
- East, West or South Sides of Homes
Sweet Alyssum is a cool-season annual, prized for its abundant tiny blooms in shades of purple, pink and white. The sweet-smelling blooms attract pollinators, like bees and butterflies. Sweet Alyssum forms a low mat that works well along walkways, retaining walls, and garden beds. It grows easily in containers and cascades over the edges for a soft look.
About Alyssum
Genus
Species
Family
Lobularia, Alyssum
Lobularia maritima, Alyssum montanum
Brassicaceae
Common Names:
Sweet Alyssum, Carpet Flower
Native To:
Mediterranean region
Plant Type:
Annuals
Foliage Type:
Evergreen
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
5–11
Flower Color:
White, Pink, Lavender, Purple, Attracts:
Flower Bloom Time:
Spring to Fall
Growth Habit:
Low-growing, spreading, and trailing
Attracts:
Bees, Butterflies
Tolerates:
Heat, Drought
Resists:
Deer, Rabbits
How To Use Alyssum In The Garden
Sweet Alyssum, scientifically known as Lobularia maritima, is a low-growing tender perennial that blooms continuously from early spring until the first frost. In bloom, the plant is smothered in sweet-smelling flower clusters with a high nectar content that supports beneficial insects. In USDA growing zones 9-11, it thrives as a perennial, while in other regions, it is commonly cultivated as a hardy annual. This plant prefers cooler temperatures, performing best during the spring and fall seasons and is not particular about soil pH.
Sweet Alyssum is often used to fill hanging baskets and mixed containers, adding a delicate touch with its profusion of tiny flowers. Beyond its ornamental appeal, Alyssum functions as a natural weed suppressant and attracts beneficial insects and pollinators, making it valuable in organic farming practices. It can also be used in ground cover applications, where its carpet-like spread suppresses weeds and fills in garden beds and borders.
Alyssum Care
Alyssum thrives in locations receiving at least four hours of direct sunlight daily. It adapts to various soil pH levels, provided the soil is well-draining. Provide approximately one inch of water per week if rainfall is insufficient. For container-grown alyssum, more frequent watering may be necessary, especially during hot periods. Regular fertilization supports its continuous blooming; use a fertilizer formulated for blooming plants.
Pruning alyssum is straightforward. Shearing back the plant by half during mid-summer, or whenever it appears untidy, encourages fresh growth and maintains a compact form. In USDA zones 9-11, where alyssum can grow year-round, winter care involves watering when nighttime temperatures exceed 45°F and covering plants during frost. For container cultivation, use well-draining soil and monitor moisture levels closely, as pots can dry out more quickly than garden beds.
Learn More About Alyssum
Alyssum Companion Plants
Companion plants should prosper under six or more hours of sun, in sharply drained soil that is only lightly watered—precisely the regimen that keeps alyssum dense and blooming. Drought-tolerant lavender shares those lean conditions and its scented foliage deters pests, while shrub roses benefit from alyssum’s weed-smothering mulch and the way it lures aphids away from tender buds. Pansies supply early color before summer heat, and upright snapdragons follow with mid-season spikes; both accept the same bright beds and extend the nectar supply for pollinators.
