Low-Growing Annual Flower
Sweet Alyssum
Lobularia maritima
A low-growing flowering annual with masses of tiny, fragrant white blooms and a spreading habit
Sweet Alyssum is a compact, spreading flowering species known for producing dense clusters of tiny white flowers above narrow gray-green to green foliage. Its low, mat-forming growth habit creates a soft flowering layer along planting edges and beneath taller annual flowers. The small blooms are noticeably fragrant and can provide a long flowering display under favorable cool-season growing conditions.
Flower Characteristics
Why Plant Sweet Alyssum?
Sweet Alyssum combines a compact growth habit, abundant small flowers and noticeable fragrance in an easy-to-use flowering species.
Fragrant Flowers
Numerous tiny flowers produce a noticeable sweet fragrance during the flowering period.
Low-Growing Habit
Plants spread outward to create a compact flowering mat rather than developing tall upright stems.
Pollinator Interest
Dense clusters of small flowers provide floral resources for a variety of small visiting insects.
Cool-Season Flowering
Sweet Alyssum performs particularly well during mild spring and fall weather and can flower for an extended period when temperatures remain moderate.
Where It Fits
Best Uses for Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum is particularly useful where a low-growing flowering layer is needed beneath or alongside taller annual species.
Establishment & Management
Growing Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum performs best with adequate light, good drainage and moderate temperatures during active growth and flowering.
Sunlight
Full sun supports strong flowering, although Sweet Alyssum can also tolerate some partial shade.
Planting
Sow the small seed shallowly into a prepared seedbed with good seed-to-soil contact. Avoid burying the seed deeply.
Soil & Drainage
Choose reasonably well-drained soil and maintain adequate moisture during germination and early establishment without keeping the soil saturated.
Heat Management
Flowering is strongest under moderate temperatures and may decline during periods of intense summer heat. Plants can resume stronger flowering when cooler conditions return.
Low-Growing Flower
A Flowering Layer Beneath Taller Species
Sweet Alyssum fills a different role than many upright annual flowers. Its spreading growth stays close to the soil surface while numerous tiny blooms create a dense flowering layer. This makes it particularly useful along borders, planting edges and within mixed flower plantings where variation in plant height is desired.
Looking for Sweet Alyssum Seed?
Contact Weaver Seed for current availability, quantities, packaging or help incorporating Sweet Alyssum into an annual wildflower, pollinator or custom seed mixture.
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