Alyssum ‘Carpet of Snow’
Botanical Name: Lobularia maritima
- Low-growing, compact annual with a height of 10-15 cm and a spread of up to 30 cm.
- Produces masses of small, fragrant white flowers that resemble a carpet of snow, perfect for garden edges, rockeries, and containers.
- Ideal for attracting beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies.
- Tolerant to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil.
- Heat and drought-tolerant, making it well-suited to Australian climates.
- Performs best in full sun to partial shade.
- Quick to establish and long-flowering, providing color and fragrance throughout the growing season.
Plant Details:
- Plant Type: Annual; compact ground cover, 10-15 cm tall
- Flowering: Spring to autumn
Sowing Information:
- Sow When:
- Temperate: Spring to early summer; late summer to autumn for a second bloom
- Subtropical/Tropical: Autumn to winter; avoid sowing during the wet season
- Germination: 7 – 14 days
- Depth: Surface sow and lightly press into the soil; do not cover with soil
- Position: Full sun to partial shade
- Sow Where: Direct into the garden bed or in trays for later transplanting
- Soil Type: Well-drained, light to moderately fertile soil; pH 6 – 7.5
- Spacing: 10-15 cm between plants
Care:
- Water moderately; avoid waterlogging
- Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooming
- Can tolerate light frost, but protect young seedlings from extreme cold
- Fertilise with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring
Bloom Time:
- Flowering typically lasts 8-12 weeks, with potential for extended blooming in cooler climates
