Carpet of Snow Alyssum

Tiny white flowers blanket these 6-inch plants very quickly. Phenomenal spreader, one plant can grow a foot wide in a couple of months. Hardy annual, plant seedlings out a few weeks before the last frost for very early blooms. Keeps blooming through many frosts in fall, too.    

100 seeds

PLANTING

Lobularia maritima

Annual

Germination: 7-10 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 65-75ºF

Seed Planting Depth: Sow on the surface and press into soil, seeds need light to germinate

Starting Indoors:  Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Provide 65-75ºF soil temperature. Transplant apart around the last frost, 6-8” apart.  

Sowing Outdoors: Starting around the last frost date, sow lightly and thin to 6-8” apart. Sow again in midsummer for late-season blooms

Growth Habit: Spreading, trailing

Height and Width:  6-8” x 10-14” 

Spacing: 6-8" apart

Light Needs: Full sun to part sun

Soil Needs: Average to Fertile, well-drained

Approximate days to flower from seed: 50-60 days

Uses: Flower beds, containers, rock gardens, borders, hanging baskets, attracts beneficials

Care: Water seedlings regularly until established. Amend soil with compost before transplanting. Trim back plants after they bloom for a second wave of flowers. Apply a liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks or use a time-release fertilizer at planting time. Self-seeds.