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Alyssum Lobularia maritima

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Alyssum halimifolium
  • Alyssum maritimum
  • Alyssum minimum
Phonetic Spelling
lob-yoo-LAR-ee-ah may-rih-TEE-mah
Description

Alyssums are a popular annual for use as an edging plant where lots of flowers are needed. Good for growing between walkway stones and as a filler between taller plants. 

They grow in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils. During the summer, cut back plants to keep it flowering. Leave plants in the garden over the winter. In spring, remove plants to expose lots of self-sown seedlings. 

Popular cultivars include:

  • 'Princess' Series
  • 'Knight' Series
  • 'Clear Crystal' Series
  • 'Snow Crystals'
  • 'Easter Bonnet' Series
  • 'Giga White'
  • 'Wonderland' Series

Pests and problems include environmental damage from drought or drowning or edema. They also may be affected by downy mildew, stem and crown rots or plants decline due to poorly drained soils. Very good soil drainage is a must if alyssum is to perform well in the garden.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cabarrus County Poolside Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Frosty Night'
  • 'Snow Princess'
'Frosty Night', 'Snow Princess'
Tags:
#purple#white flowers#mass planting#summer flowers#border planting#spring interest#pollinator plant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Frosty Night'
  • 'Snow Princess'
'Frosty Night', 'Snow Princess'
Tags:
#purple#white flowers#mass planting#summer flowers#border planting#spring interest#pollinator plant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lobularia
    Species:
    maritima
    Family:
    Brassicaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Europe
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds. pollinators, butterflies
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Cream-colored oval seed pods with 1 yellowish seed each.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Tiny four-petaled fragrant blooms in white cover the plant in spring and fall. May stop blooming in the heat of summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    1-inch lance-shaped to oval gray-green leaves
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds