How to Grow Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia Maritima)

This small, delicate plant has many uses: It's wonderful for edging a flower bed, filling a container, beautifying a rock garden or cascading from a hanging basket. It loves cool weather, blooming profusely in spring and then starting up again in autumn. This annual (grows just one year) is available in white, lavender, and pink and, true to its name, produces a delightful scent.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Garden Spades
• Garden Trowels
• Plants

1. Buy healthy, green plants with no signs of wilting or disease. Plants should be stocky, with plenty of leaves. It's actually a plus if they don't have any flowers on them - they'll divert their early energy into root development rather than flowering.

2. 

   Choose a site in full sun to light shade. Sweet alyssum likes average to poor, well-drained soil and moderate water.

3. 

   Plant seedlings in early spring, about two weeks before your region's last average frost date. Position 6 to 8 inches apart.

4. Keep soil a little on the dry side.

5. 

   Trim faded flowers to promote longer blooming. If plants look ragged in mid summer, shear back by half to rejuvenate them.

6. Tear out and discard plants in fall, after frost fells them.

Tips & Warnings

• Sweet alyssum is a perennial in USDA zones 10 and 11.

• There's no need to fertilize sweet alyssum - if you do, it may actually bloom less.