Stephen Albert
Lobularia–commonly called sweet alyssum–has fragrant white blooms from late spring to early fall. Sweet alyssum is a ground-hugging perennial, grown as an annual. It has narrow mid-green leaves and is considered invasive in some areas.
Lobularia maritima is a perennial but is generally grown as an annual. The plants grow 4 to 10 inches tall. If flowers freely from early spring until late summer. It blooms before many other spring flowers, The flowers are sweet-scented.
Lobularia is very easy to grow. it can be used for edging and is excellent for window boxes, baskets, and carpet beds.
Lobularia grows readily from seed but can also be propagated by cuttings or layering. Sow seed outdoors after all danger of frost is past. It grows best in well-worked, fine-grained soil.
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Lobularia Overview
Lobularia (Lobularia maritima), commonly known as sweet alyssum, is a low-growing, mat-forming annual or perennial plant with clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers. These blooms are typically white but also come in shades of purple, pink, and lavender. Lobularia is beloved for its sweet honey-like fragrance, long blooming season, and ability to thrive in cooler weather. It’s a versatile and easy-to-grow plant, perfect for adding a soft, delicate touch to garden spaces.
Seven Ways to Use Lobularia in the Garden
- Ground Cover
- Lobularia is an excellent ground cover for filling gaps between plants or softening the edges of flower beds.
- Its spreading habit and low height (4–8 inches) make it ideal for creating a lush carpet of flowers.
- Borders and Edging
- Use sweet alyssum to edge paths, walkways, or garden beds. Its compact form adds a tidy yet charming look to borders.
- Plant it alongside taller annuals or perennials to create a layered effect.
- Container Gardening
- Lobularia is perfect for containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes. Its cascading habit adds a flowing, delicate appearance to mixed arrangements.
- Pair it with colorful, upright plants like petunias, geraniums, or salvias for contrast.
- Rock Gardens
- Its tolerance for dry conditions and ability to grow in poor, rocky soil make Lobularia a great choice for rock gardens.
- Plant it among stones or on slopes for a natural, flowing effect.
- Wildlife and Pollinator Gardens
- Sweet alyssum is a magnet for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Use it in pollinator-friendly gardens to attract beneficial insects.
- Its dense flowers also provide habitat for small garden wildlife.
- Companion Planting in Vegetable Gardens
- Lobularia is a popular companion plant in vegetable gardens due to its ability to attract beneficial insects like hoverflies, which prey on aphids.
- Plant it near crops like lettuce, carrots, or tomatoes for both beauty and pest control.
- Seasonal Displays
- Use Lobularia in spring and fall gardens for bursts of cool-season color. Its heat tolerance is limited, but it can bloom profusely in mild climates or with regular watering in summer.
Quick Care Tips for Lobularia
- Light: Thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade, especially in hot climates.
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil but is adaptable to poorer soils.
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
- Fertilizing: Apply a light, balanced fertilizer during the growing season for continuous blooms.
- Pruning: Trim back spent flowers or overgrown plants to encourage fresh growth and reblooming.
- Pests and Diseases: Generally pest-free but may experience root rot or mildew in overly wet conditions. Ensure good air circulation.
Design Ideas with Lobularia
- White Garden Theme: Plant white Lobularia with silver foliage plants like lamb’s ear or dusty miller for a soft, monochromatic look.
- Cascading Displays: Use Lobularia in hanging baskets to create a flowing cascade of fragrant blooms.
- Underplanting: Use it as an underplanting for roses, tulips, or other taller plants to create a layered effect.
- Interplanting: Mix Lobularia with colorful annuals like marigolds or zinnias for a vibrant, contrasting display.
Lobularia is an adaptable and fragrant plant that enhances garden spaces with its charm and utility.
Get to know Sweet Alyssum — Lobularia
- Plant type: Annual
- Growing Zones and range: 2-11; grow as an annual in Zones 2-9, grow as a perennial in Zones 10-11.
- Hardiness: Tolerates light frost without damage to leaves or flowers; killed by a hard frost and temperatures in the upper 90sF.
- Height and width: 3 to 12 inches (7.6-30cm) tall; 8 to 18 inches (20-45cm) wide
- Foliage: Narrow, linear-lance-shaped to oblong, light to mid-green leaves
- Flowers: Clouds of small, cross-shaped, 4-petaled, flat blossoms on rounded heads often scented
- Flower colors: White, cream, rose, pink, purple, violet, and lavender
- Bloom time: During cool weather; some cultivars tolerate heat and bloom all summer; year-round blooms in Zones 9-11.
- Uses: Edging, borders, best in crowded masses, tucked into walls or crevices, rock gardens, containers
- Common name: Sweet Alyssum
- Botanical name: Lobularia maritima
- Origin: the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean
Where to plant Sweet Alyssum — Lobularia
- Grow Lobularia in full sun. Grow Lobularia in full sun in Zones 2-5; plants tolerate light shade in Zones 6-11.
- Plant Lobularia in average, well-drained garden soil.
Sweet Alyssum — Lobularia uses
- Use Lobularia as edging at the front of a bed or border.
- Lobularia is useful for the edges of paths and drives and to fill paving cracks.
- Lobularia is very tolerant of maritime conditions.
When to plant Sweet Alyssum — Lobularia
- Set established Lobularia in the garden in spring after all danger of frost has passed.
- Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- Sow seeds outdoors where they will grow about a month before the last expected frost or a few weeks later.
- Set plants started indoors outdoors when daffodils bloom or later; harden off young plants before transplanting them into the garden.
- In mild winter regions, sow and set out alyssum any time of the year except when temperatures regularly exceed 94°F (34°C).
Planting and spacing Sweet Alyssum — Lobularia
- Sow seed no more than 1/8 inch deep; keep the temperature at 65° to 75°F (18-24°C) until seeds germinate.
- Start seed indoors a few inches under a fluorescent light. Grow plants one to a pot indoors for best development.
- Outdoors plant seeds an inch (2.5cm) or more apart and cover the seed with 1/8 inch of soil, pressed down. Do not let the seedbed dry out.
- Thin and transplant seedlings when they are 2 inches (5cm) high.
- Space Lobularia 8 to 18 inches apart.
How to water and feed Sweet Alyssum — Lobularia
- Lobularia needs moderate moisture; keep the soil evenly moist.
- Fertilize Lobularia lightly every 4 to 6 weeks or work a slow-release fertilizer into the soil in early spring.
- Mulch plants with chopped leaves or aged compost to keep the soil moist.
- Shear off the tops of plants if they become too straggly; this will stimulate new growth and flowers.
- Lobularia is rarely bothered by pests or diseases.
Sweet Alyssum — Lobularia care
- Mulch around Lobularia to conserve soil moisture.
- Lobularia will grow tall and leggy when temperatures average 80°s; cut the plants back by half to rejuvenate and promote further blooms.
- Lobularia reseeds in optimal conditions.
- Downy mildew and caterpillars sometimes attack Lobularia.
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Sweet Alyssum — Lobularia propagation
- Grow Lobularia from seed. Seeds germinate in 8 to 10 days.
- Propagate from root cuttings 4 to 6 inches (10-15cm) long in a dampened mixture of sand and compost at temperatures between 50° and 70°F (10°-21°C).
Sweet Alyssum — Lobularia varieties to grow
- Lobularia maritima cultivars include white, purple, and rose blossoms, some listed below:
- ‘Carpet of Snow’ spreads tiny white flowers in clusters.
- ‘Easter Bonnet Series’ company plants with white, reddish, purple, or pink flowers.
- ‘Sweet White’ is an old-fashioned, sweet-smelling variety.
- ‘Royal Carpet’ has rosy-colored blooms, blooms early, and is long-lasting.
- ‘Wonderland’ has wide mats of rosy red, purple, or white blooms.
Sweet Alyssum frequently asked questions
Q: Can I make sweet alyssum bloom indoors?
A: Yes, if there is enough sun and a very cool window or plant room. Sow the seeds in late summer in pots and bring them indoors before the first frost.
Q: Why does sweet alyssum come up every year, but purple alyssum doesn’t?
A: White alyssum reseeds prolifically. The seeds of purple varieties are of a more complex parentage and not as vigorous.
Q: How are sweet alyssum seeds germinated?
A: Start the seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last spring frost or where the plants are to grow a few weeks before the last frost. Do not cover the seeds, they need light to germinate. Do not overwater or overcrowd the plants.
Q: What are the best conditions for growing sweet alyssum?
A: Plant sweet alyssum in full sun or partial shade in average soil. Do not overfertilize the plants. Keep the soil just moist, although sweet alyssum will tolerate drought. Cool nights are best, but sweet alyssum will grow in hot regions though it will not flower as much.
Q: What can I do when sweet alyssum grows straggly and leggy?
A: Cut it back. Sweet alyssum will stay compact and flower more freely if cut back occasionally.
Q: What’s a good place to grow sweet alyssum?
A: Sweet alyssum is very fragrant. Plant it on the patio in containers or as edging near walks and doorways where you can enjoy the scent. It is an excellent border plant and container plant.
