Snow Crystals Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum
Lobularia maritima 'Snow Crystals'
(lob-yoo-LAR-ee-uh) (muh-RIT-tim-muh)
Synonyms: Sweet Alison, Seaside Lobularia

This Alyssum took off in the garden. A carpet of pure white. After having grown ‘New Carpet of Snow’ for many years this one was new to me this year. I noticed the flowers are much bigger on ‘Snow Crystals’. It also seems to have a little more fragrance and that is a wonderful smell to have in the garden.

This picture could have used a little more Depth of Field. I just wanted to show the densely packed 'snow crystals'.

Alyssum is easy to grow. It is really what I consider a cool weather annual. It hangs on during the summer (adequate water helps) and usually does pretty well during the fall. It often self-seeds and I can’t quite tell if it comes back true. There seems to be a little variation at least. You can also seed it directly on the ground and have a good show. Around here we do that as soon as the soil can be worked.

Three Annuals

Sweet Alyssum
Lobularia maritima
(lob-yoo-LAR-ee-uh) (muh-RIT-tim-muh)

The annuals have been providing good fodder for the camera. This Alyssum was actually from a huge patch growing near the sidewalk. The Ranunculus was a beautiful red and they seem to be just starting to bloom. The cream-colored flower is some sort of Phlox, I think. The little garden that this Phlox was growing in had several colors of the flower but this champagne colored one was my favorite.


These pictures were all taken in our neighborhood in Pacific Beach. There are some lovely gardens and interesting plants within a few blocks of the house. I am not sure what people think of me taking pictures but someone was waving to me the other day as I took a picture of their Aloe forest.

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum
Lobularia maritima
(lob-yoo-LAR-ee-uh) (muh-RIT-tim-muh)

Last year we grew some patches of white and purple Sweet Alyssum from seed. It is a really easy plant to grow directly seeded in the garden. You need to get it on the ground early so it has time to develop and flower before the heat sets in. I didn’t plant any this year but got a lot from last year’s crop self seeding. They must have mixed since the plants were a light purple with a little white mixed in. I think I will order some more seed this winter to plant in the spring just to keep it going.

This mum was sold as ‘premium’ and its color and flower are a little different. I was disappointed that it just had a generic tag. The colors are very fall like and we used them in some of the annual containers that had gone by. I still need a few mums on Monday so wish me luck as I don’t think anyone will have any that are not blown out.

Sweet Alyssum
Lobularia maritima
(lob-yoo-LAR-ee-uh) (muh-RIT-tim-muh)

What can you say about a plant that smells wonderful, grows well, and gives free plants? Sweet Alyssum does all those things and more. This is a plant that I prefer to grow from seed rather than planting it from the nursery. Sowing the seeds along the edge or in the joints gives a nice appearance to garden walks and patios. If the conditions are right, you can end up with a carpet of color. The purple strains have not done well for me, but they are pretty. My main problem with growing Alyssum is not getting it out early enough in the spring, as it likes cool weather. If I remember, I shear off about half the height during the summer and get a nice wave of blooms for fall.