Alyssum, Carpet of Snow, is known for its profusion of delicate white flowers and a pleasant honey-like fragrance.
Tiny pure white blossoms blanket the ground like new-fallen snow. Dwarf plants are uniform and compact, spreading rapidly. A fragrant choice for well-drained soils in rock gardens and borders. One of the finest cool weather performers. Blooms again and again if trimmed back to remove faded blossoms.
SKU: 100008
Common Name: Sweet Alyssum
Botanical Name: Lobularia maritima
Growing Information
Safe for Bees
Grows Best In:
Full Sun|Part Shade
Days to Germination:
7 - 14 days
Water Needs:
Average 2.5-5 cm (1-2") per week
Best Container Size:
30 cm+ (12"+)
Growing Height:
8-10 cm (3-4")
Key Features
Plant Type: Flower
Plant Lifecycle: Annual
Fill Weight (grams): 250 mg
Approximate Seed Count: 575-650
Characteristics: Attracts butterflies, pollinators and songbirds | Pet friendly | Container friendly
Planting Method: Start Indoors
Color: White
Water Needs: Average 2.5-5 cm (1-2") per week
Days Until Bloom: 49 -84 Days
Harvest/Bloom Season: June to Frost
Landscape Use: Border / Edge Planting
Growth Habit: Mounding | Low growing
Scent: Honey
Resistance: Deer
Tolerance: Drought
Instructions
Growing Instructions:
Start annual Alyssum seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last frost in your area. Follow the seed depth and spacing guidelines indicated below. Once all danger of frost has passed, seedlings should be hardened off before planting into their growing location. Seedlings should be transplanted according to the plant spacing directions below. Pick a location sheltered from the wind and receives at least 6 hours of sun per day. Regularly monitor your plants and ensure that the soil remains moist, but not soggy while they establish themselves in their new environment.
Click here to read more information on planning and planting a garden.
Planting Depth: 3 mm (1/8")
Seed Spacing: 1.3 cm (1/2")
Plant Spacing: 20 cm (8")
Instructions for Nutrient Care:
Feed plants SUPERthrive once per week. Mix 1.2 ml (1/4 tsp) per 4L (1 gallon) of water in a watering can and apply solution to the base of the plants.
Suggestions
Growing Suggestions:
Alyssum has the tendency to experience a decrease in flowering activity amidst the scorching heat of summer. However, it quickly rejuvenates and resumes its blooming cycle once the temperatures begin to cool down.
Regularly removing spent flowers, known as deadheading will promote continuous blooming and encourage the growth of fresh buds. If you have a large cluster of plants, trimming them by around one-third is a simpler alternative to deadheading.
During periods of wet weather, downy mildew can occur as a coating on the leaves that is whitish or white with a slight purple tinge. To prevent this, it is important to plant alyssum in soil that is well-drained and follow the recommended spacing guidelines. This will allow for adequate air circulation around the plants and help mitigate the risk of downy mildew occurrence.