Alyssum Carpet of Snow ( Lobularia maritima ) in annual low growing plant that is native to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira and The Bay of Biscay in France. Alyssum is commonly grown as a groundcover, in rockeries or as a cascading plant over garden walls but is also suitable for pot/container growing, through gaps in paving, as a border and in hanging baskets. The tiny, sweet smelling flowers of Alyssum Carpet of Snow are white in colour and cover this little plant in a sea of flowers for months from late Spring until the first frost arrive.
The species name ‘maritima’ comes from the fact that this species will happily grow in coastal conditions. It is both drought and heat tolerant but will cope with some shade in hotter climates. They will tolerate very light frosts but will die back as the cold weather creeps in. It really is a gorgeous and versatile species in any garden.
Alyssum is also known as Sweet Alison & Sweet Alyssum. There are quite a few cultivars, if you’d prefer a Purple colour choose ‘Violet Queen‘ or for Pink flowers pick ‘Rosie O’Day‘.
Suitable for All Climates if planted at the right time of year. See germination instructions tab.
Growth
Alyssum Carpet of Snow can grow between 7-25 cm tall but usually averages somewhere in the middle of these sizes. It can spread a little further than its height, with a width anywhere between 25-50 cm. The leaves of this species are a darker green colour which contrasts beautifully with whichever flower colour sits above. Leaves are small and ovate to lanceolate.
The flowers are bisexual, approximately 5 mm in diameter, have 4 petals and have a sweet scent; similar to a honey smell.
Although this species is grown as an annual in most climates, in frost free warm climates it may grow as a short lived perennial. Will reseed in warmer climates and grow back the following Spring, however coloured flowers may revert back to their original white flowers.
NOTE: Avoid overly nutritious soil and fertilising as this can cause this species to grow taller and stragglier instead of bushy and compact. Naturally they grow in fairly dry, poor, sandy soils.
FAMILY:
Brassicaceae
CLIMATE:
All Climates
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
0 to 30°C / 50 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 30 cm (1 foot)
WIDTH:
Up to 50 cm (1.6 foot)
pH:
5.0-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual. Short lived perennial in some frost free climates.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees and other insects. Flowers bisexual
MATURITY:
6-8 weeks.
GERMINATION RATES:
62-79%
GERMINATION TIME:
2 weeks.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 2500
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
No.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2 years.
FACTS ABOUT ALYSSUM CARPET OF SNOW (Lobularia maritima)
The young stems and leaves along with the flowers of Alyssum are all edible, although the taste is quite strong.
Lobularia maritima has been used in traditional medicine but we can not find any studies to support these uses. More research need to be done.
Being a coastal tolerant plant, this species can grow on sand dunes and beaches!
Alyssum has received the Royal Horticultural Society‘s Award of Garden Merit for many of its cultivars.
