Alyssum - Annual Flower For Your Garden © 2006

Alyssum
Lobularia maritima
Older books it may be listed as Alyssum mariimum

Alyssum is a cool season annual flower able and willing to withstand light frosts. It is a fragrant, low growing annual flower which is valuable as an edging plant. Be sure to plant some near a much used sidewalk or patio as the honey like aroma of alyssum in the evening can be quite pleasant.

The Mediteranean Sea area is where alyssum originated. In the milder climate of its home range it is a perennial, but in northern regions it is grown an annual bedding flower.

Alyssum is a spreading, low growing annual flower, usually only three or four inches tall. They like full to part sun and aren’t picky as to soil type. In the hot summer months here in southern Indiana alyssum tends to become a bit subdued. A working over with a shears in late summer when the cooler weather arrives encourages new growth and a new spurt of bloom which usually lasts through the first light frosts in October. Under the right conditions Thanksgiving Day has seen alyssum still blooming bravely.

Propagation of alyssum is by seed. If you have a greenhouse or hotbed it may be planted about six to eight weeks before frost. Germination should occur in seven to ten days at 65 - 75 degrees farenheit. In the fall, you can dig a small clump and put in a sunny window in your home, it will bloom and impart its scent.

The seed is small and should be sown over the surface of the growing medium and covered lightly. Mist with water. You may direct seed it to bedding packs, plant in a seed bed and transplant it when the plants have gotten about one half inch tall or so. Alyssum may also be direct seeded to the flower garden in the cooler mid to late spring season.

Popular varieties:
Royal Carpet
This grows about four inches tall and has lavender flowers.

Carpet of Snow
This alyssum gets about the same height as Royal Carpet and has snow white flowers.

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