How to grow Alyssum?
- Latin Family: Brassicaceae
- Latin Genus: Lobularia
- Ease of Growing: Easy
- Growing Type: Annual
Alyssum's honey scent perfumes the air all summer and its sweet nectar is a magnet for butterflies and beneficial insects. The plant makes a lovely ground cover that can be squeezed in between borders, garden edges and in between larger plants. It's an annual in most regions, but may survive one or two winters in areas with mild climates. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, although most are very low growing with a trailing habit. The plants attract beneficial insects, including hoverflies - their larvae prey on aphids, one of the most common and persistent pests of the organic garden. Deer resistant.
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Alyssum History
Alyssum is native to Southern Europe.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 5.6 - 7.5
Alyssum is adaptable to various soil types, and will usually do well in any garden soil. Well-draining soil is preferred.
How to care for Alyssum?
For continued blooms cut half the plant back everytime after it blooms.
Water
Alyssum is fairly drought tolerant but does need some water during periods of drought and high heat. The plant also will perform better if the soil is kept somewhat moist.
Fertilizer
Alyssum will tolerate poorly fertilized soil but does benefit from some additional nutrients.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 8 Years
Germination Percentage: 99.0
Alyssum will reseed it self if allowed to go to seed but saving seed is always nice if you want to give some to friends or plant in a different part of the garden. Different varieties of Alyssum will cross pollinate with one another, so it is recommended to separate them by at least 1/4 mile. When pods turn brown, pick them from the plants and dry. Be sure to harvest the pods before they become to brittle so that seeds are not spilled and lost. It's recommended to collect seeds when the plants are slightly wet so that they are less brittle when picking.
Light
Part shade
Alyssum prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade.
Conditions:
Season:
Problems
Alyssum Types
- Alyssum
Alyssum's honey scent perfumes the air all summer and its sweet nectar is a magnet for butterflies and beneficial insects. The plant makes a lovely ground cover that can be squeezed in between borders, garden edges and in between larger plants. It's an annual in most regions, but may survive one or two winters in areas with mild climates. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, although most are very low growing with a trailing habit. Deer resistant.
Pests
- Caterpillars
- Spider Mites
Diseases
- Gray Mold Botrytis Fruit Rot
- Crown Rot
- Clubroot
- Downy Mildew
- Powdery Mildew
- Root Rot
