Sweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima

Alyssums are a popular, easy to grow, flowering, annual or short lived perennial, in the mustard family and typically used as an edging plant where lots of flowers are needed. The mat-forming plant produces spreading mounds of fragrant white flowers from spring to first frost where the summers are cool (blooms will decline in hot summers). The genus name comes from the Latin lobulus meaning small pod. The species name means of the sea or coastal.

Alyssum does best in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils. It will tolerate drought and dry soil and appreciates some afternoon shade. During the summer or when the blooms decline, 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. 

For spring flowers, sow seed in the ground several weeks before the last frost date. Or start seed indoors 5 to 6 weeks before last frost date and set out seedlings or purchased plants just before last frost date. Alternatively, you can sow seed in August for fall bloom.

Good for growing between walkway stones and as a filler between taller plants.

Clemson University, Home and Garden Information Center, has a fact sheet on Sweet Alyssum.

A number of popular cultivars are available that expand the flower color choice to include shades of pink, rose, lavender, purple and apricot. Plants with white blossoms seem to be the most fragrant with a scent of new mown hay or honey.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

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