Alyssum
Lobularia maritima
Alyssum is a low-growing, sprawling plant covered with clusters of dainty white, pink, or purple flowers. It is typically grown as an annual bedding plant. Because of its sprawling habit alyssum is a good living mulch or groundcover that can help to suppress weeds. It can be used as an attractive edging plant or interplanted throughout your garden. Alyssum is a well-known companion plant that can help to attract beneficial insects such as bees, hover flies, parasitic wasps, and tachinid flies. Fun Fact: alyssum is in the Brassica (mustard) family along with broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage!
How to Grow Alyssum
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Growing from Seed
Alyssum can be easily grown from seed. It can be started indoors then transplanted out after the risk of frost has passed, or it can be sown directly in the garden as soon as the soil is workable in spring. Press seeds lightly into soil but do not cover them as they need light to germinate. Keep the seed starting mix (or soil) consistently moist. If starting indoors, provide supplemental light as soon as the seeds germinate.
Planting Considerations
Alyssum prefers well-drained, fertile soil. Add compost at the time of planting. Heavy soil may cause alyssum to rot. Alyssum makes an attractive addition to mixed annual containers and hanging baskets.
Feeding
Apply a balanced fertilizer at the time of planting. If you trim back alyssum mid-season fertilize again to promote new growth. Too much nitrogen may promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of flower development. Container-grown alyssum may need more regular fertilizing.
Harvesting
Alyssum flowers and leaves are edible although they are said to be spicier than mustard!
Pruning
Deadheading or trimming back alyssum can encourage a new flush of blooms. Alyssum that is allowed to go to seed can self-seed new plants for next year (provided it is not a sterile variety).
