photo of Lobularia maritima

Lobularia maritima

Sweet Alyssum

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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...

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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