I love alyssum, plant them every year, most in full sun. They also do OK in part shade. They will rebloom if cut back. When they start to fade around midsummer, just give them a good haircut and they'll rebloom within a few weeks. They'll keep blooming through the first few light frosts as they are very cold hardy. Mine usually reseed, but in fall then freeze out in winter.

I'm going to try one of the new tetraploid ones this year, from Harris seeds.

Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: crystal clear alyssum

OMG - I love alyssum - especially the Maritimum - they reseed and have lasted blooming here with temps in the low 20s - they reseed like crazy also.

Good luck with them

carrie

Another alyssum fan signing on......

I've got mostly white (reblooms like crazy and reseeds) and some purple and I can't recommend them enough. I didn't try them the first few years of WSing (looked too small, too "plain") and now that I have I will never be without them for finishing off the edges of beds, pathways, etc. Keeps the weeds out, looks so pretty. I tried soem fancier varities last year (pinks/ lavendars) and while they bloomed, they didn't spread and rebloom as much. The white looks great spreading around lavendar plants and I love the purple fringing slate walkways.

Good luck!
Nancy

I love this plant!! It has been reseeding in the gardens since I put it there a couple of years ago. My favourite is Snow Crystals.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vesey's Snow Crystals A.

Does Alyssum do well WS'ing now or later? I have several varities and don't know when to sow them.

I can't wait to have alyssum!

Karen

Have you seen the purple/white ones? White and purple on the same plant? Has anyone grown these Royal Carpet ones? Any difference between Royal Carpet, and Wonderland? Do certain ones have more fragrance than the others?
tammy

Karen: The photo of Crystal Clear alyssum is gorgeous. Then I looked at Snow Crystals at Vesey's.

How on earth do you pick a selection when there are so many? Must be experience.

Trial and error. If you don't like one, try another.

I just ordered Snow Crystals from parks. Veseys seemed a better value if one lived in Canada.
I ordered 300 seeds.Cant wait to see these next yr.I assume I have to wait to around April to W/S?
Tammy

Nancy..what is the name of your alyssum that you liked so well and where did you purchased the seed for it? I got a T&M, Stokes and also Park Seed catalog while we were away so will be checking them out tonight before going to bed.

I've grown the white, pink, red, and purple, many different types, for years. Long before wintersowing I used to sow them directly into the garden beds. I never like the colors as well as the whites because they just don't show up as well. Their colors seem to blend in with the mulch. White stand out well.

I have never used the pelleted alyssum seeds, have always used the plain tiny seeds. I decided to try the multiseed pellets this year because it seems each pellet would have the potential to be a hos if several seeds within the pellet germinate. Time will tell.

Karen

I absolutely love any and all alyssum! Mine are still blooming after several frosts in my zone 7 garden. They bloom nonstop. A definite garden staple for me.

Karendee and Tammy,

You can sow Alyssums anytime. I start my wsing in mid/end of Feb. and they are the first to go out. They are also one of the first to sprout. :O)

Good to know Tiffy!

My first jug sowed this season was alyssum 'carpet of snow'. As I was moving my newly sowed jugs outside I could of kicked myself thinking why didn't I pay more attention. I knew alyssum was a hardy annual yet I guess I got side tracked with the word "snow" in the description. I usually wait til the end of February to start my hardy annuals. Though the beauty of WS'ing allows us to try things we never have before, even if it is do to one not paying attention. I am also glad to see several have reported they survive cold temps and frost. Now if only I can keep my thinking clear with the rest of my sowing.

-StLGirl

Thanks Tiffy! I will sow the alyssum next. I got lots of it in the secret santa swap I was in.

I will sow alyssum tomorrow. I have white and some other varities.

I am so excited to have this flower. I plan to add it to containers and the edges of my beds.

Karen

Tammy, I thought of you today while looking through my new Select Seed catalog.

They show two kinds of alyssum - one, Benthamii, is a trailing white alyssum that gets about 10" tall.

The one that caught my eye, though, was Snow Princess. It supposedly blooms non-stop till a hard freeze because it doesn't set seed. It is an upright form, about 6" tall.

Both are fragrant, but it doesn't say anything about sun or shade.

Hope this helps (although it probably just adds to the indecision, lol!)

:)
Dee

I haven't spammed this thread with mine yet, just love them. Sent some seeds to a gal, hope they work for her.

The reason I like mine is that they are taller and spread out a little more than some colored ones I tried.

I started them from an American Meadows packet maybe 4 years ago now by broadcasting, then those self sowed so I saved some seeds that fall. WS'ed good results and got more. Plus the others self sowed again.

I've got seeds for insurance but am going to see what self sows and transplant out of those. They take a little to get going well and do even better in part shade than in full sun (think it's because the ground is moister there). They are very drought tolerant.

They bloom all summer and tolerate light frosts. Mine were blooming until almost the middle of December this year! I was sad when they got clobbered.

You can see from the photos, it's a work in progress out there, have some border gaps to fill in and probably should have pulled some, but I loved to let them do their thing.

It's freezing cold out there now. So I'm pretty much stuck in the house.

Happy New Year, Everybody.

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Dee: I knew that Snow Princess sounded too good to be true. I googled it. According to this it is propagated vegetatively. Bummer.

Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: Snow Princess

Thanks for the link to Snow Princess. Its very pretty but unless its an invasive pest, I would rather be able to collect some seed from mine.
Aliska, those are nice pics. I thought I might like the colored varieties but your last shot with them growing around the other pink flower (dianthus?) looks very pretty.I ordered one that is dark purple and white, Royal Carpet I think, and then plenty of the Snow Crystals.
Tammy

Karen, yes, I forgot to put that part in my post above, lol. I realized that I forgot as soon as I hit the "Send" button - kind of an important thing to leave out in this group!! I guess that is a drawback to people like us who are obsessed with everything "seed", lol!

The reason I mentioned it was because it is a non-stop bloomer, which is always a nice thing to have, especially in a visible area. I guess the tradeoff is that we can't collect seed or let them self-sow.

:)
Dee

tammyinwv,

"Aliska, those are nice pics. I thought I might like the colored varieties but your last shot with them growing around the other pink flower (dianthus?) looks very pretty.I ordered one that is dark purple and white, Royal Carpet I think, and then plenty of the Snow Crystals."

Thanks, I should have brightened up a couple of those; they look dark on my monitor.

That pink is a clump perennial phlox that was on its second bloom; that grouping hasn't spread much but one self seeded into a real beauty further away.

My main problem there (and disappointment) in those strips is that is where my expensive Pickering roses are. They aren't worth the real estate they take up so I'm getting rid of almost all of them (might try to move a couple). The Japanese beetles and other peskies ruined it all for me, am not going to spend my summers picking bugs and spraying nasty pesticides. Roses are very difficult to interplant other flowers with except low growing ground cover types. There are several other nice choices besides alyssum, nepeta, baby blue eyes, violas, pansies, impatiens if you're into those, Rozanne is gorgeous, low-growing campanulas, am trying a blue pimpernel and others I can't think of at the moment.

I think perennials would work better in there and give me more enjoyment.

You really can't go wrong with any alyssum, depends on the look you are striving for.

When all is said and done, my white ones are about as carefree as it gets and they really do give a summery carpet of snow effect and crowd out most weeds.

"The reason I mentioned it was because it is a non-stop bloomer, which is always a nice thing to have, especially in a visible area. I guess the tradeoff is that we can't collect seed or let them self-sow."


Dee your are right about that. Its hard to find flowers that give such a long season's interest. I havent bought much plants though this yr,except a few end of season clearance.I have spent way to much on seeds,lol. I just hope my trial with the w/s goes as well for me as everyone else that post.
Aliska, I just recieved some blue pimpernel in a swap. I hadnt heard of it before.
Tammy

aliska12000 you helped with my Alyssum last summer. I sowed some seeds in July and they did get flowers. I am hoping some re=seed on their own.

Just in case they don't I have lots of packets I bought at Walgreens when they put the seeds on clearance. I plan to add alyssum to all my borders if possible.

I sowed 6 containers today! I still have lots of seeds left so I will keep sowing them. I might direct sow some too.

Karen

Have not checked in here for a few days and just wanted to ID the ones I've grown - "carpet of snow" - - bloomed and rebloomed and self seeded and ditto for "Royal carpet". Those two worked the best for me.

Now where did I get the seeds?? I think the royal carpet from Parks and the carpet of snow from trade. As I've said, it was back a few years cause I've not had to purchase new seed, they reseed.

"aliska12000 you helped with my Alyssum last summer. I sowed some seeds in July and they did get flowers. I am hoping some re=seed on their own."

Well, I'm glad I helped somebody. Heaven knows how many have helped me. I scattered a bunch around in the fall in addition to the ones I expect to reseed, will let you know how that turns out.

"I sowed 6 containers today! I still have lots of seeds left so I will keep sowing them. I might direct sow some too."

Good for you. Mine are filthy, I want to reuse them and dread washing them up and soaking in bleach. Have some new ones I can cut.

Got some pots ready, wanted to do a couple each day in addition to my regular obligations. I CANNOT find the iris seeds I carefully saved, looked all over except under the mess piled up on the dr table. Sooooo frustrating.

So I decided I'll sow some herbs inside instead under my lights. Ended up doing nothing but potting a 3 geraniums that had rooted, some indoor watering, digging out suitable pots for herbs. Can't get motivated.

Went through my seeds; many need to be scattered in early spring.

So I go looking for a place to move. Look what $109,900 will get me about 50 miles from here within 15 miles of my farm I can't farm. 1.2 acres.

Here is a link that might be useful: Am I too old and would my health take it? Getting out of town

aliska12000 Nice looking house! Also a nice price :)
Looks like it needs some flowers though.

I may also spread some alyssum seeds in the garden directly. I am not going out today cause it is around 6 degrees and still lots of snow on the ground. Maybe next week.

Nancy, someone sent me Royal carpet in a round robin and I sowed it already. I am glad to hear it re-seeds for you!

I just love alyssum. I hope I can get it to grow for me! I got several packets of seeds but I don't think enoough for the entire border of my flower beds just yet. If it re-seeds maybe next year I can get it all over.

Karen

I also have 'Carpet of Snow' and 'Royal Carpet' plants that have self sown from ws plants several years ago. Also, in the fall I cut the plants and shake them in areas that I want new plants the next spring. For me, 'Royal Carpet' is not as vigorous and doesn't self sow as much as 'Carpet of Snow'.

karendee, "aliska12000 Nice looking house! Also a nice price :)
Looks like it needs some flowers though."

Why do you think I want it (big smile)? It's been empty for 1-1/2 years, poor old man had a stroke, so I'm sure I can get the price down, but even at full price compared to where I am and all that's there, I'd pay it. It's almost too good to be true if my health holds up, maybe I'd even feel better with new hope.

I'm turning the whole thing over to my son. Let him figure it all out for me, go look it over. We can work something out.

I just can't do what I want in my small yard, am too far from the farm, so I can grow tons of stuff and take an acre off the farm for my experiments, trees, shrubs, lilies, etc. It's all I want to do for the rest of the time I have left.

Plus new territory to scout around for my photography hobby which I love as well.

I was just packaging up some seeds for a swap when I realized that the seed I was packing "Basket of Gold" was an alyssum!!!! A terrific one AND perennial AND pretty gray/green foliage that stays evergreen!!!! Can't beat that combo. I received it in a swap a few years ago and it is spreading nicely at the front of a rounded bed - cascades out - nice. So I would highly recommend this one too. Blooms late spring/early summer. About 10" high.

Nancy

Sounds good, Nan. Guess it only blooms early but nice foliage. My usual seed sources don't seem to have it but found one that is promising. Never ordered from them before but was going through some of their offerings some time back, and a lot of them sounded intriguing.

2000 seeds for $2.50 can't beat that. If you order from there, be sure to click on the dropdown menu B4 adding to your cart.

I don't dare order any more anything lol.

Here is a link that might be useful: Alyssum Basket of Gold at Everwilde Farms, Inc.

Basket of Gold is very pretty, is that perennial and is it fragrant? I don't think it's the same species as sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima). They have a similar look.

I have grown 'Carpet of Snow' and 'Pastel Carpet'. I love Carpet of snow, and the Pastel carpet was okay. I don't remember if it was fragrant and it grew in a very round clump. I prefer the looser habit of Carpet of Snow.

Here's 'Pastel Carpet' -

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All of you got me exctied. I have many packets of carpet of snow... Now I need some others. I bet I could find someone to trade for it :) I love the trading seeds!

aliska12000 I think the house looks nice...gardening is my therapy. I am young (well kind of in my 30's) and have lots of health problems. It sucks and I just refuse to quit gardening, sewing and all the other stuff I do. :) SO I know you can do it. Plus we can see all the pics and transformation you will do with WS'ing. (you better post pics I love them!!)

That is a nice clump of Pastel carpet. and Basket of Gold is another great one.

I have been looking for the right border plant and I think Alyssum is it. I was trying to add a perenial to the borders but since it re-seeds it will do fine.

I also have creeping thyme with dark pink flowers that I am sowing this year but it will take some time to get going and the alyssum looks faster to me...

Thanks for all the great info!!!

Karen

Does the carpet of snow, and snow crystals bloom heavier than the pastel carpet?

I think I would like to try the Basket of Gold as well. I love that bright golden yellow color. How long does the Basket of Gold bloom for? I think the other ones bloomed almost to frost, dont they?
Tammy

karendee, "aliska12000 I think the house looks nice...gardening is my therapy. I am young (well kind of in my 30's) and have lots of health problems. It sucks and I just refuse to quit gardening, sewing and all the other stuff I do. :) SO I know you can do it. Plus we can see all the pics and transformation you will do with WS'ing. (you better post pics I love them!!) "

If I go through with it, I will need help planning beds. I've got little to lose at this point, am fed up with the place I'm in. There would be problems there, too.

Just heard from a friend in LA (the state, not the city). Maybe I'll go down there instead and bug him.

So there will be pics eventually. My friend is a pro photog, and I'm going through his gallery. He can make the most ordinary thing look extraordinary. A lot of the plants and birds I recognized; some I didn't.

I wish I were that good. But I'm ok with where I am compared to where I once was.

Back to yellow alyssum, gotta have some of that but not this year.

Over and out for now.

Tammy,

The Basket of Gold blooms in the spring/early summer. One of the things I like about it is that it provides a nice UMPH of colour all of a sudden which will last for a few weeks. The other thing I like is the foliage which has a silver hue to it, so after the flowers fade if you don't want the seeds, just deadhead and the foliage stays nice all summer.

The Snow Crystal does bloom quite heavy. :O)

I have some reseeded carpet of snow right behind the basket of gold and I think it starts blooming just when the basket of gold is ending, so snow's white color flowers look really nice with the "golds" silvery foliage. I also have 3 tall clumps of lavender in this area and it all goes nicely together.

Thanks for the info tif, basket of gold does sound like a real plus with the foilage.
Nan, thats a good idea to layer the two alyssums back. I was think of side by side, but hadnt thought of that. I was wondering tho if either ones drape over rock walls more than another? I have a two tier retaining wall, and the stones are about a foot wide.The upper wall was where I wanted to put a lot of these.Unfortunately when I took this shot of the bed, there was very little blooming. I am wanting to clean up this bed more and get more summer bloomers on there next yr with w/s.
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Tammy

I have both ayssums in a flat bed, but my guess would be that the B.O.G would be "drap-e-er" as it seems a litle tighter to the ground and heavier... I think you'd get more of a "spill" that way. Plant a little of both and see! The bloom at different times, so also think about when you need color in the spot your choosing.

nan, right now there is nothing planted at the upper edge of the top wall. The soil is mostly hard clay there as well, so I figure I will need to amend some. But I think i am going to plant a combination of the 3 and see how they go. That gold color I bet is stunning. I like that they are all to re seed as well.
Tammy