Sweet Alyssum

Lobularia maritima

Characteristics

Culture

Sweet Alyssum is an Annual. Easily grown from seed in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best with some part afternoon shade. Tolerates dryish soils. Sow seed directly in the ground several weeks before the last frost date. For earlier bloom, start seed indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost date. Nurseries sell starter plants in cell/six packs. Set seedlings or purchased plants out just before last frost date. Shear plantings after first bloom to encourage a second flush of bloom. Blooms spring to frost in cool summer climates. Flowering and plants usually decline significantly in the dog days of a typical southern summer at which point they should be cut back by one half. Plants usually revive as cooler fall temperatures arrive. Seed may also be sown in August for fall bloom.  Attracts bees and butterflies.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Lobularia maritima, commonly called sweet alyssum, is one of the easiest annuals to grow. It is a mat-forming plant that produces spreading mounds of well-branched stems clad with linear, lance-shaped, gray-green leaves (to 1” long). Plants typically grow 3-9” tall to 12” wide. Dense clusters of sweetly fragrant, tiny, white 4-petaled flowers cover the foliage mounds from spring to early summer. Flowering is often so profuse as to totally hide the foliage. Cultivars expand the flower color choice to include shades of pink, rose, lavender, purple and apricot. Synonymous with Alyssum maritimum.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Damping off is an occasional problem with seedlings.

Garden Uses

Mass planting in border fronts or rock gardens. Underplanting. Edging and bedding. Mixed containers.

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Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Society Plant Finder