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Sweet Alyssum: More than a Pretty Flower
Some refer to this low growing annual with tiny clusters of white to purplish flowers as just alyssum. But to gardeners that really know the plant it’s sweet alyssum with a pleasing fragrance that perfumes gardens on warm days.

 

Alyssum
Sweet alyssum can be planted in hanging baskets, added to planters and used as an edging along walkways. It doesn’t mind the poorer soils and can be grown in full sun to lightly shaded locations September through March. When not in flower the plant has a pleasing display of small bright green leaves.

If you plan to display sweet alyssum in a container use a potting soil mixture for planting. Then add enough plants so the outer leaves just touch. Keep the soil moist and feed weekly for good growth and flowering.

Use the following tips to establish a sweet alyssum planting in the garden:
Enrich sandy soils with peat moss, compost and manures.
Space plants 6- to 12-inches apart.
Maintain a moist soil watering when the surface just starts to dry.
Feed every other week with a liquid fertilizer.
Check for caterpillars that like to feed in the foliage.
Cover with sheets or hay during freezing weather.