Alyssum
Lobularia maritima
Companion
Common Names:
Alyssum, Sweet Alyssum, Carpet Flower
Quick Glance:
Common Use: Low-growing annual or perennial plant for ground cover, edging, and pollinator attraction.
Growth Habit: Spreading mounds with tiny, fragrant flowers; grows 4–8 inches tall and 6–12 inches wide.
Light Needs: Thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade.
Key Feature: Dense clusters of white, pink, or purple flowers with a sweet honey-like fragrance.
Companion Plant: Excellent companion for vegetables like lettuce, carrots, and strawberries, attracting beneficial insects and deterring pests.
Varieties:
Sweet Alyssum: This classic variety is known for its dense clusters of tiny, white flowers that emit a strong honey-like fragrance. It’s ideal for ground cover, rock gardens, and borders, and is widely used for its long-lasting blooms that attract pollinators.
Wandering Mixture: A colorful variety featuring a blend of white, pink, lavender, and deep purple flowers. The Wandering Mixture adds vibrant splashes of color to borders, hanging baskets, and containers while retaining the characteristic sweet scent of alyssum.
ID:
Scientific Name: Lobularia maritima
Family: Brassicaceae
Physical Description:
Alyssum is a low-growing, spreading plant with delicate, lance-shaped green leaves and clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers. The flowers are available in shades of white, pink, lavender, and purple and bloom from spring to fall. It forms dense mats that are ideal for ground cover or filling in garden spaces.
Light Requirement:
Thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hot climates.
How to Grow:
Soil: Prefers well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.0–7.5). It can tolerate poorer soils but performs best in moderately fertile ground.
Transplanting: Transplant young Alyssum plants outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Space plants 6–8 inches apart to allow for spreading. Firm the soil gently around the base and water thoroughly.
Watering: Water consistently, especially during dry periods, but avoid waterlogging. Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Spacing: Space plants 6–12 inches apart to allow for full, mounded growth.
Fertilizing: Alyssum has modest nutrient needs. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month if grown in poor soil.
Container Growing:
Container Size: Use a shallow container with drainage holes, as Alyssum has a small root system.
Soil: Choose a well-draining potting mix.
Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, but avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
Placement: Position the container in a sunny spot or provide partial shade in very hot climates.
Pest Management:
Common Pests: Aphids, whiteflies, and caterpillars.
Solutions: Spray aphids with water or use insecticidal soap. Hand-pick caterpillars if necessary.
Diseases: Alyssum is relatively disease-resistant but can suffer from root rot if soil is poorly drained. Avoid overwatering.
Spreading Habit:
Spreading: Alyssum spreads easily through seeds and can self-sow in favorable conditions.
How to Handle: Thin out seedlings if self-sown plants become too crowded, and deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and limit excessive spreading.
Companion Planting:
Alyssum is a great companion plant for vegetable gardens. It attracts beneficial insects like bees and parasitic wasps, which help control pests such as aphids. It pairs well with:
Lettuce and Carrots: Helps deter aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture.
Strawberries: Attracts pollinators to increase fruit yield.
Tomatoes and Peppers: Draws predatory insects to protect against pest infestations.
How to Use:
Ornamental: Ideal for garden edging, ground cover, rock gardens, and hanging baskets. Its sweet fragrance makes it a favorite for sensory gardens.
Pollinator Attraction: The honey-like fragrance and nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Erosion Control: Its spreading habit makes it useful for stabilizing soil on slopes.