What are the benefits of alyssum?
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. Annual-grown Alyssum does not require any winter protection. The plants will die back with the first frost of the fall. They can then be composted or thrown away. The cooler fall weather will spur the plants into another flush of vigorous growth in the zones where Alyssum is perennial.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.Sweet alyssum grows best in cooler temperatures, so it will bloom in the spring, fade in the summer, and re-bloom again in the fall. It is typically grown as an annual, but will survive as a perennial in warmer climates.
What vegetables benefit from alyssum?
Companions: Alyssum is a valuable addition to the vegetable garden and an excellent companion plant for broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, eggplant, and lettuce. Alyssum flowers have a sweet fragrance and peppery flavor that make them ideal for a variety of culinary applications. The leaves and stems of Alyssum are also edible and can be used in much the same way as the flowers.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.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 a plant that is non-toxic to humans and most animals. The foliage and flowers are edible and very strongly flavored. Often, Alyssum is used as an edible garnish for sweet foods such as fruit or cakes. The leaves have a strong, pungent taste similar to mustard.
Is alyssum poisonous?
Caution: Hoary alyssum is toxic to horses when they eat the fresh plant in a pasture or the dried plant in hay. Is alyssum toxic to pets? Alyssum is non-toxic to dogs and non-toxic to cats.
Can you eat alyssum leaves?
Alyssum flowers have a sweet fragrance and peppery flavor that make them ideal for a variety of culinary applications. The leaves and stems of Alyssum are also edible and can be used in much the same way as the flowers. All that has changed with the introduction of improved varieties of sweet alyssum that are every bit as fragrant, but have much better heat tolerance and vigor. They also don’t go to seed, so you’ll have flowers all the way from spring through fall without deadheading.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 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.
Will alyssum spread?
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”!
Is alyssum lobelia?
Sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima, is a common annual flower plant. Sow alyssum from early spring to early summer, and in autumn where winters are mild. Alyssum grows fast and often stops blooming in hot weather.Planting location a sunny location is best for alyssum plants, but some afternoon shade would be good for hot climates.