Lobularia maritima
Sweet Alyssum
The showy, white flowers of Sweet Alyssum provide spring blooms from April through June. There are many cultivars that offer a palate of colors to...
Description:
The showy, white flowers of Sweet Alyssum provide spring blooms from April through June. There are many cultivars that offer a palate of colors to choose from. To encourage a second bloom, shear spent flowers from the first bloom. Blooms can be so profuse, they sometimes hide the foliage! For continued enjoyment later in the season, sow seeds in August for an additional fall bloom. Find a protected area in your yard for these fagrant beauties, as they are somewhat intolerant of heat and humidity. Part-shade is preferred, but they can tolerate full sun. Try using Sweet Alyssum in containers for your patio, at the edge of borders around your yard, on cascading walls, and in rock gardens. Sweet Alyssum is native to the Mediterranean, and is commonly associated with sandy beaches and coastal landscapes.
Plant Details:
Plant Type: Flower, Annual
New Jersey Native: No
Bloom Times: Spring, Late Spring to Early Summer
Bloom Colors: White
Deer Resistance: High
Attracts Pollinators and Wildlife: Bees and Other Pollinators, Butterflies
Salt Tolerance: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Physiographic Region: All Regions in NJ
Grows in Special Ecoregions: Barrier Island/Coastal
Soil Characteristics
Soil Type: Loam, Organic, Sandy
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Slightly Acidic, Neutral
Light Needs of Plant
Optimal Light: Partial Shade
Light Range: Full Sun, Partial Shade
Water Needs of Plant
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Size and Growth Rate
Height: 0.25 - 0.75 ft
Spread: 0.5 - 1 ft
Growth Rate: Fast