There are many types and varieties of alyssum. The flowering perennial delights hobby gardeners all summer long with its sweet fragrance and abundance of flowers.
The genus of stone herbs (Alyssum) includes about 170 - 180 species, sometimes up to 250 species are mentioned, but only a few - like the mountain stone herb (Alyssum montana) or the rock stone herb (Alyssum saxatile) are in Europe native and therefore hardy. Many alyssum species that grow in our gardens originally come from the Mediterranean or North Africa and are therefore usually not hardy.
The scented auricle (botanical: Lobularia maritima, formerly: Alyssum maritium) is one of the flowering companion plants that gardeners like to place between roses and other magnificent perennials. The annual plant is also known under names like white alyssum, beach silverwort or beach cress. The low yellow rock alyssum (Alyssum saxitile) or the mountain alyssum (Alyssum montana) find the best conditions in the rock garden, on gravel surfaces or in joints .
The common feature of the Alyssum species is that they do not have high nutrient requirements for the soil. They are well adapted to dry and lean locations.
The scented arachnid blooms all summer long in tubs, balcony boxes and as a border for beds. Low species thrive in rock gardens, on gravel surfaces, in joints and on tops of walls. The mountain stone herb has also proven itself as a plant for green roofs. The white, light yellow, pink to violet flowers exude an intense fragrance and attract numerous insects, some species bloom from June to October. The annual Alyssum species are easy to propagate and very easy to care for.
Alyssum - Profile
| Origin | Southern and Central Europe, North Africa, Canary Islands, Asia |
| Family | Sauciferae (Brassicaceae) |
| Growth | forms cushions, initially erect, then prostrate or pendulous branches |
| Blossoms | Grapes-like, dense inflorescences, white, pink, light yellow, lilac or violet depending on the variety |
| Blooming time | perennial species are often early bloomers from March to May, annual species bloom from June to October |
| Location | Sun to partial shade |
| Ground | permeable, moderately nutritious, no waterlogging |
| Care | Water moderately, fertilize little, pruning recommended after flowering |
| Propagation | Self-sowing, sowing, seedlings and planting |
| Usage | Bee Pasture, Scented Plant, Cut Flower |
The location - where does Alyssum grow best?
Alyssum species prefer well-drained, humus-rich to sandy soil. They cope well with drought, but not with waterlogging. Loamy soils are loosened up and made permeable by adding sand. Alyssum grows in sunny to partially shaded locations.
Alamari - flower, leaf and growth habit
The stems initially grow upright, later lying on the ground, forming a dense cushion. The low species, such as the rock alyssum, grow particularly closed. The leaf rosettes sit directly on the stems and at the end the alyssum forms a sea of small flower clusters, which attract countless insects with their scent. Stonewort species bloom in spring or later from June to October in many shades of white, yellow, pink or violet.
Use - Alyssum and Companion Plants
The flowering alyssum is an extremely versatile plant and is also recommended for garden beginners. All species are suitable as ground-covering bedding plants and also for edging, as well as balcony and container plants. Plants that form low cushions such as mountain or rock alyssum are typical rock garden plants. They also feel at home in sun-facing joints, gravel gardens, on top of walls and on the roof.
Suitable companion plants
All plants that have similar requirements in terms of location and soil can be combined in color with Alyssum. These include rock garden perennials such as candytuft, phlox in varieties, blue cushion or goose cress. In the bed, the scented stone rich as a permanent bloomer between roses and under standard trees provides insect food. Red tulips or the blue-violet bearded iris add strong color accents to the yellow alyssum. In the borders and on the balcony, Alyssum is often combined with Loyal to Men (Lobelia). Liver Balsam (Ageratum) also has a similar height and the same location requirements. Classic balcony flowers such as petunia or pelargonium go well with the loose upholstery perennialcombine.
Planting and propagating Alyssum
The best times of year to plant perennial alyssum are spring and autumn. The scented stoneweed (Lobularia maritima), for example, is cultivated as an annual plant because it is usually not hardy. Gardeners use various ways to keep the alyssum in the garden permanently - for example by self-sowing. The seeds are obtained from the fruit and grown on the windowsill.
Sowing starts in May (after the Ice Saints) directly in the bed.
Alithic care - water, fertilize, cut
Alithic species only need moderate watering. Stone herbs in hanging baskets, balcony boxes or in pots should be watered regularly, but they also tolerate short periods of drought.
Annual plants do not necessarily have to be cut, but a moderate pruning stimulates the second flowering. Perennial plants are cut back after flowering and before seed formation. After the summer cut, you can work horn shavings into the soil or add nutrients with liquid fertilizer. Deep pruning is recommended for perennial plants to avoid bare, woody areas and promote compact growth. If the plants are to sow themselves in a semi-natural garden, they should only be trimmed in autumn.
Diseases and Pests
The species are among the robust garden plants, no diseases are known. Young plants sometimes suffer from snail damage. Infestation with the pollen beetle was also detected. A pruning helps here.
Yellow-flowered Alyssum varieties
Mountain Alyssum 'Berggold' (Alyssum montanum 'Berggold')
| Mountain Alyssum 'Berggold' (Alyssum montanum 'Berggold') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | prostrate to erect, cushiony |
| Growth: | 5 - 15 cm |
| Growth: | 30 - 40 cm |
| Special Features: | hardy, deep yellow flowers, evergreen |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | dry, well drained, normal garden soil |
Sulphur yellow rockcress 'Sulphureum' (Alyssum saxatile 'Sulphureum')
| Sulphur yellow rockcress 'Sulphureum' (Alyssum saxatile 'Sulphureum') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | pillow-like, flat |
| Growth: | 15 - 25 cm |
| Growth: | 30 - 40 cm |
| Special Features: | tolerant of drought, hardy, insect-friendly |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | dry, well drained, rocky, sandy |
Rock Alyssum 'Compactum Goldkugel' (Alyssum saxatile 'Compactum Goldkugel')
| Rock Alyssum 'Compactum Goldkugel' (Alyssum saxatile 'Compactum Goldkugel') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | compact, forms cushions and upholstery |
| Growth: | 15 - 20 cm |
| Growth: | 30 - 40 cm |
| Special Features: | very floriferous, suitable for green roofs |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | dry, stony, gravelly, well drained |