Technically a perennial, sweet alyssum is widely treated as if it were an annual plant in cold-winter climates. But it is one of the hardier annuals, capable of surviving light frosts that would kill more tender plants. Its rounded clusters of flowers are fragrant.
What is alyssum used for? Sweet alyssum makes an excellent companion plant in the garden. Some plants, when grown together, can boost each other’s growth, fertility, yields, protect them from pests, and attract beneficial insects. Here are some ways to use sweet alyssum in your garden: Use alyssum to lure aphids away from vegetable plants.
Similarly, How do I use alyssum in my garden? As sweet alyssum plants spread, they create a living mulch under taller plants. Use sweet alyssum along edges in the garden or fill nooks and crannies on walkways and walls. The tight, free-flowering plants are also great « spillers » for hanging baskets and containers.
Is alyssum perennial or annual?
Sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima, is a common annual flower plant. Lobularia maritima is a mat-forming annual or short-lived perennial native to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Azores, where it grows along the coast in rocky, sunny areas.
How do you take care of alyssum?
Caring for alyssum
Alyssum needs little maintenance once established. After planting, water well to settle the soil around the roots and then water to keep the soil moist for several weeks until plants are established.
Is all alyssum edible?
Did you know the leaves and flowers of sweet alyssum are edible? They make a peppery addition to a fresh garden salad. However, I recommend only eating sweet alyssum if you grow it from seed yourself. That’s because when grown at flower nurseries, it may be subjected to chemical fertilizers and pest control.
Are alyssum and sweet alyssum the same thing? This herbaceous plant in the mustard family (Brassicaeae) is commonly used as a bedding plant called alyssum or sweet alyssum and is widely available in market packs at nurseries and garden centers in the spring. The common name refers to the genus in which it was formerly classified.
Is there a difference between alyssum and sweet alyssum? Both alyssum and creeping phlox are low-growing, flowering plants. The common name, “alyssum,” however, can refer to more than one kind of plant. Sweet alyssum, usually grown as an annual, has the botanical name Lobularia maritimum. It belongs to the Brassicaceae plant family.
What goes well with alyssum?
Geraniums and pansies come to mind as nice companion plants for alyssum that look lovely side by side. I’ve had luck combining L. maritima with straw flowers, Persian shield, dusty miller, osteospermum, and calibrachoa as well, just to name a few additional options!
Are all alyssum edible? Did you know the leaves and flowers of sweet alyssum are edible? They make a peppery addition to a fresh garden salad. However, I recommend only eating sweet alyssum if you grow it from seed yourself. That’s because when grown at flower nurseries, it may be subjected to chemical fertilizers and pest control.
What are companion plants for alyssum?
The sweet alyssum has tiny flowers that attract delicate beneficial insects, such as predatory wasps. Plant sweet alyssum alongside bushy crops like potatoes, or let it spread to form a living ground cover under arching plants like broccoli. Bonus: The alyssum’s sweet fragrance will scent your garden all summe longr.
Does alyssum carpet of snow spread? Phenomenal spreader, one plant can grow a foot wide in a couple of months. Hardy annual, plant seedlings out a few weeks before the last frost for very early blooms.
What can I plant next to alyssum?
Potatoes and Sweet Alyssum
The sweet alyssum has tiny flowers that attract delicate beneficial insects, such as predatory wasps. Plant sweet alyssum alongside bushy crops like potatoes, or let it spread to form a living ground cover under arching plants like broccoli.
Are alyssum flowers edible?
Did you know the leaves and flowers of sweet alyssum are edible? They make a peppery addition to a fresh garden salad. However, I recommend only eating sweet alyssum if you grow it from seed yourself. That’s because when grown at flower nurseries, it may be subjected to chemical fertilizers and pest control.
Can you keep alyssum indoors? Growing Potted Alyssum Plants
Be sure to look for trailing or sprawling varieties. If you prefer, you can start seeds indoors a few weeks ahead of the last expected frost in your area. Fill a container with good-quality commercial potting soil. Be sure the container has a drainage hole in the bottom.
Is sweet alyssum frost resistant?
Alyssum seedlings can tolerate light frost, but plants are often killed by freezing temperatures.
How do you eat alyssum?
They can be added to salad, frozen in ice cubes, folded into omelets, and added to cold summer soups. Sweet Alyssum when paired with a wedge or two of fruit or a sprig of parsley makes a fun edible garnish to dress up snack or desert trays.
Does alyssum Carpet of snow spread? Phenomenal spreader, one plant can grow a foot wide in a couple of months. Hardy annual, plant seedlings out a few weeks before the last frost for very early blooms.
Does alyssum like sun or shade?
Sweet alyssum flowers best with at least six hours of full sun, but can tolerate partial shade.
Does alyssum freeze? Alyssum seedlings can tolerate light frost, but plants are often killed by freezing temperatures.
How cold hardy is alyssum?
Light & Temperature
Alyssums are hardy to USDA zones 5 through 9 and handle cold temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Alyssum prefers cooler conditions and generally doesn’t do well starting at 85 degrees. There are frost-resistant varieties that tolerate cold, and some that take hot weather.
How cold can alyssum tolerate? Those annuals that can withstand 20 degrees or so include pansies, snapdragons, dianthus, alyssum, dusty miller, viola, flowering cabbage and kale. Keep in mind that flowers may be a bit ragged after such cold but the plants should come through fine.