Is there a difference between alyssum and sweet alyssum?
Yes, there is a difference. Alyssum is the genus name, and sweet alyssum is one of the more than 100 species in that genus, named after its sweet, honey-like aroma. Its compact growth habit and dense foliage act as a natural ground cover, suppressing weeds and conserving soil moisture. Furthermore, sweet alyssum is known to attract beneficial insects such as hoverflies and predatory wasps, which help control garden pests.Its blooms are colored with white, pink, and purple flowers. Flowers are edible and non-toxic to humans and animals. Sweet Alyssum is grown not only for the draw of its flowers in hanging pots and as a carpeting plant but also for its ability to attract beneficial insects in the field such as ladybugs and hoverfly.Beyond its role as a pollinator crop, sweet alyssum offers additional benefits to gardeners through companion planting. Its compact growth habit and dense foliage act as a natural ground cover, suppressing weeds and conserving soil moisture.Alyssum is renowned for its magical attributes, believed to bring luck, happiness, and ward off negative energy when placed in the home or garden. Also known as Lobularia maritima, it is a low-growing annual with clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers.Specifically, sweet alyssum is known to attract three main categories of beneficial predator insects (those that eat pest insects in the garden): 1) Minute pirate bugs (who eat aphids, thrips, mites, psyllids, and insect eggs), 2) Parasitic wasps (who lay eggs in aphids, beetles, flies, moths, sawflies, mealy bugs, and .
Where is the best place to plant Alyssum?
Planting Location A sunny location is best for Alyssum plants, but some afternoon shade would be good for hot climates. Sweet alyssum performs best when planted in a spot that has well-drained soil and receives full sun, but it can also take some shade. For maximum flowering, plants should be watered regularly and fertilized.Sweet alyssum makes a colorful carpet of tiny flowers that you can use to blanket your garden or landscape. Native to Europe, the low-growing foliage grows quickly, covering the ground with tiny cross-shaped, four-petal flowers within two months of being sown from seed.Sweet alyssum can grow indoors. For overwintering, it’s common to bring this plant indoors. Place it in a sunny or partially shady windowsill. It prefers cooler temps; avoid heat sources and draw the shade during the midday sun.Sweet Alyssum also does very well in beds, raised or ground beds. It will spread nicely and you want to plant it on the edge to be a strong contrast to the rest of the plants.Sweet Alyssum grows between 6 to 8 inches tall and a four-inch nursery plant will spread to cover 12 inches of your pot. Plant it on the edge of the container and not only will it spread this far but will also cascade over the end of your planter to distances of 18”!
What is the local name for alyssum?
Lobularia maritima (syn. Alyssum maritimum) is a species of low-growing flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae. Its common name is sweet alyssum or sweet Alison, also commonly referred to as just alyssum (from the genus Alyssum in which it was formerly classified). L. Sweet Alyssum is grown not only for the draw of its flowers in hanging pots and as a carpeting plant but also for its ability to attract beneficial insects in the field such as ladybugs and hoverfly. These insects are beneficial to plants as they feed on pests.Alyssum is renowned for its magical attributes, believed to bring luck, happiness, and ward off negative energy when placed in the home or garden. Also known as Lobularia maritima, it is a low-growing annual with clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers.
Is alyssum a good indoor plant?
Growing Alyssum Indoors Potted Alyssum does not make a good houseplant. The conditions indoors are too hot and dry to sustain continuous growth. Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get a jump on spring planting late in the winter. Alyssum will be in full bloom and beautiful in the spring, calm down in mid-to-late summer, then grow again in the autumn months, making it a versatile and delicate addition to your flower garden.Growing Alyssum Indoors Potted Alyssum does not make a good houseplant. The conditions indoors are too hot and dry to sustain continuous growth. Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get a jump on spring planting late in the winter.Alyssum is a tender perennial commonly grown as an ornamental annual in most gardening zones of North America. USDA zones 9-11 can grow Alyssum year-round as a perennial. The winter care for this plant is easy and does not require much time to keep Alyssum blooming throughout the winter months.Though commonly grown as an annual, sweet alyssum can reseed and may return each year in warmer climates. Sweet alyssum is valuable for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden and is considered deer resistant.Alyssum plants are generally classified into two categories: annual and perennial. Annual varieties typically live for about one year, while perennial types can thrive for several years if provided with the right conditions.