Alyssum ( Alyssum), or lobularia, belongs to the cabbage family and is widespread in Europe, Asia and North Africa. Our gardeners also liked it, especially since this plant is unpretentious, and the soft honey aroma of its flowers can attract bees to the site. Most often, alyssum is used as a border plant or an excellent ground cover to camouflage faded plants of short stature.
How to grow alyssum from seeds?
Due to its unpretentiousness, this plant can be propagated by cuttings, dividing the bush and seeds. As for the latter, this method is most preferred by gardeners, since it does not require additional costs and effort.
Alyssum seeds, very small, are sown directly in open ground, in a permanent place of growth, in the period late April - early May. At the same time, they don’t even need to be covered with soil, since access to sunlight will speed up germination, but you can cover the area with film, this will create a greenhouse effect and protect the seeds from birds and insects.
Alyssum seeds
With regular watering and warm weather, after 5-7 days the first shoots appear, which, as they grow and take root, must be thinned out so that the distance between them is 10-15 cm.
You can also grow alyssum using seedlings. To do this, already in March it is necessary to sow the seeds in special seedling boxes, which are kept at a temperature of at least 16 degrees Celsius, approximately 6-7 days, until the first shoots appear. Then they can and should be moved to a room with good lighting and moderate temperature.
Ready seedlings are planted in a permanent place in early May. Before this, the planting area is well watered, and the plants themselves are planted at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other.
Alyssum seedlings
Choosing a place to plant allisum and caring for it
Alyssum is a plant that is quite resistant to all kinds of adversity. It tolerates frosts down to -10 degrees, can withstand drought for some time and tolerates pruning well. But at the same time, there are several features of growing this plant that must be remembered and taken into account:
- when planting, it is better to give preference to well-lit places rather than shade, since in insufficient lighting, alyssum blooms sparingly;
- the soil can be almost any. The main thing is that it is well drained;
— as for watering, it should be moderate but regular to prevent the soil from drying out. It is better to water the plant in the evening, and you need to make sure that there is no stagnation of water, as this may simply cause the plant to die. And there is no need to be alarmed if it wilts a little on a hot day - alyssum recovers quite quickly;
— Twice during the summer it is necessary to fertilize the plant. To do this, use a universal fertilizer for flowering plants, and the finished solution is carefully poured under the root, avoiding contact with leaves and flowers.
To avoid damage to alyssum by pests, it is necessary to carry out timely treatment against cabbage moths, cruciferous flea beetles and white flea beetles - these are the diseases this plant most often suffers from.
Powdery mildew, brown rot, aster jaundice and cauliflower viral mosaic are possible diseases for alyssum.
It is also necessary to remember that timely removal of faded inflorescences stimulates plant growth and abundant flowering.
The smell of the plant is reminiscent of honey and spreads tens of meters from the plantings. True, in the forefront only Alyssum Fragrant.
This is an annual plant from the cruciferous family. The genus is also represented by some perennial plants. Among them are not only herbs, but also shrubs. Their aroma is also pleasant, but not as strong. Let's find out what other common traits and features alyssums have.
Features of alyssum
All alyssums are angiosperms, dicotyledonous plants. To put it simply, plants. The buds serve for reproduction, and the ovule has a closed, protective capsule. The seeds have two lobes.
Since alyssums are cruciferous, their buds are composed of 4 petals and the same number of sepals. They are arranged crosswise. Hence the name of the family. There are 6 stamens, and 1 pistil. This gives some species the opportunity to pollinate on their own.
But often, alyssums have cross-pollination. Aroma buds does not leave insects, in particular bees, indifferent. That's why, alyssum flowers recognized as one of the best honey plants. The taste of the elixir obtained in the fields with cruciferous plants is also excellent.
With alyssums, whether they are herbs or shrubs, everything is small. Small leaves are covered with barely noticeable fluff. The buds are also small. What makes them noticeable is their association into inflorescences. They are most often yellow or white. But, there are also varieties of purple tones. The foliage color is dark, with a gray tint.
Buying alyssum seeds for decorative purposes, it is worth considering that plants lose their effectiveness after pollination. The petals are falling quickly. The “panicles” of the stamens remain sticking out on the stems.
However, if a carpet is planted from, they are beautiful even in this form. Therefore, alyssums are not grown alone. Even at home, large or elongated balcony-type slides are used. Dozens of seeds are placed in them.
Types of alyssum
The genus includes 100 species alyssum. For growing Only a few are used in garden and home conditions. Basically, these are low-growing varieties.
Although herbaceous shrubs of the genus reach a height of 80 centimeters. In pots, plants of 10-30 centimeters appear. This is, for example, Alyssum Marine. It reaches 3 tens of centimeters, is compact and highly branched. The buds of the Sea View are white, cream, pink or purple.
There are 5 main varieties of Sea Alyssum. Tiny Tim is a dwarf. The height of the bushes is only 8 centimeters. The plant has a good growth rate and is therefore used to cover large lawns.
The Apricot variety has a peachy hue. Salman has pink-salmon buds. Esther Pin is distinguished by purple inflorescences, and Esther Rose is bright pink and blooms especially wildly. The greenery of the bushes is not visible from under the buds.
Planted in pots and Alyssum Rocky. It is distinguished by the flexibility of its stems and their tendency to droop. The buds are also arranged in cascading clusters. Therefore, the grass is ideal for hanging flowerpots and planting on compositions and stones. The plant will fill the cracks between them, reminiscent of natural landscapes.
The rocky view is also called Mountain. The plant always has yellow ones. Another feature is the ability to maintain green foliage under the snow. There are 4 main varieties. Plenum's bud petals are fleecy, like terry ones.
Compactum is short, no more than 18 centimeters. Citrinum is recognized by its pale yellow flowers. And the Golden Wave has bright buds. True, they appear only when the plantings are 2 years old. This perennial alyssum.
By and large, most alyssums are perennial. Plants are able to leave seeds themselves, from which new shoots will grow next year. But flower growers prefer to plant grass only for the season. This allows you to create a harmonious composition, and not be content with chaotically scattered seeds.
Caring for alyssum at home
Alyssum - landing, appearing in full color already 6-7 weeks after placing the seeds in the ground. Their germination rate is over 80%. Doesn't matter, it's planned planting alyssum in open ground, or indoor planter.
Alyssum on photo from gardens appears not only in the form of carpets, but also borders. The grass is simply cut and grows back quickly. This makes it possible to form different shapes from the plantings. The main thing is not to forget about abundant watering in the creative process.
It is necessary alyssum. Priming in a dry state, it becomes a reason for the bud to be dropped, only greenery will remain. But the grass does not pay attention to air humidity. Growth rates do not decrease even in a dry atmosphere.
I wonder what he prefers for evening watering. If you irrigate the plantings in the morning or during the day, they grow less vigorously. With proper care, alyssum blooms from May to late autumn.
Excessive planting density can stall the process. If plants are crowded, they will not form buds. In addition, too dense arrangement of shoots is a risk factor for powdery mildew. This is a fungal plant disease.
Alyssum, care behind which is discussed, loves the sun. Suitable for growth and partial shade. But a lack of light is detrimental to the plant, or rather, to it. The buds will be scanty and few in number.
White is the most fragrant alyssum. Planting and care, photo plants with milky buds are placed under the heading “Aromatic variety”. Although, in fact, white alyssums come in different forms. Of the colorful varieties, only the Pink Queen has a pronounced honey aroma.
The grass does not require fertilizing. It is enough to apply fertilizer 1-2 times a year. Nitrogen solutions are used. They are added to the soil after watering or trimming the bushes.
Alyssum price
Alyssum is in demand among landscape designers. They decorate parks, squares, garden plots, and zoos with fragrant grass. It is more convenient for specialists to buy ready-made seedlings. It is usually sold in cassettes. If there are 10-20 sprouts in it, they pay from 60 to 300 rubles.
The cost depends on the availability of delivery, the type of plant and, in fact, the size of the seller’s markup. We are talking about retail. Wholesale deliveries cost 15-20 rubles per 50 sprouts. These are the offers most often used by landscape designers and large enterprises.
Alyssum seeds cost from 5 rubles per package. There are options for 40 rubles. The difference depends on the type of grass, the manufacturer and the number of seeds in the pack.
The minimum bookmark is 20-30. But there are packages containing 100 or more seeds. Among the offers there is an assortment. One pack contains seeds that produce buds of different colors. Such sets are usually more expensive than standard ones.
Alyssum is a beautiful low-growing plant that attracts not only with its many flowers, but also with its elegant magical aroma. Alyssum planting and care, which is not particularly difficult, still requires attention. This plant is characterized by short stature and unpretentiousness; it will still be useful for novice gardeners to learn about some of the nuances of growing a flower in order to ultimately get a beautiful landscape composition.
Alyssum: not a plant, but a fairy tale
Despite the fact that there are now a huge number of different types of flowers, it is rare to find a plant that has only positive characteristics. Alyssum is a rare species that is distinguished by its visual attractiveness, unassuming disposition and amazing aroma.
Looking at the alyssum, it seems that there are a huge number of lovely flowers intertwined with each other, completely covering the soil. Behind such splendor it is very difficult to even see the leaves, which is not so important, because all the beauty of the plant is in its flowers. Very often, alyssum is compared to an air cloud. This juxtaposition is very appropriate - delicate small flowers seem to form an openwork strip of light shades, and the fragrant aroma of vanilla and honey only complements the fabulous image.
Planting and caring for perennial alyssum
Alyssum quickly became popular in arranging rock gardens: due to the fact that this plant has highly branched shoots that lie tightly on the ground, it manages to hide any defects in the soil - cracks, holes or ditches. Even an amateur gardener can plant and care for alyssum; the main thing that is needed for this is a little patience.
The plant, which belongs to the cruciferous family, has more than 150 species, each of which has a rich aroma, shade or flowering time. Landscape designers liked the perennial alyssum.
Planting a perennial plant, like an annual one, is possible in open ground or in balcony boxes. In the second case, the most favorable time for planting is considered to be the beginning or middle of March, when there are more sunny days. If you choose to plant immediately in a permanent place, then it is worth choosing a time when the frosts stop and a constant above-zero temperature is established. Under favorable weather conditions, young shoots appear within a few days. Examine the seedlings carefully: if you notice that the plant is planted too densely, it should be replanted. Planting and caring for alyssum in open ground is very simple - for this you need to regularly water the plant and apply universal fertilizing once a month.
Over time, the initial shoots of alyssum begin to become lignified, and more and more new branches are formed that cover the entire surface of the earth. Grown-up alyssum tolerates light frosts well, so it will delight with its lush flowering until mid-October.
In order for a perennial plant to delight you with a constant abundance of flowers, it is necessary to prune it every spring. This process provokes the growth of new shoots, increasing the total area of distribution of alyssum.
Alyssum pests
It should be remembered that the plant belongs to the same species as, therefore, in many ways, planting and caring for an alyssum flower are similar. In order to prevent the proliferation of cabbage or cruciferous flea beetles, it is necessary to begin treatment on time using special chemicals.
If you begin to notice that the leaves of alyssum are turning black, it means that they have been affected by powdery mildew. This disease can be controlled using a fungicide. It is also worth remembering that shoots should not be pruned frequently. Proper planting and care of ornamental plants will help you preserve and enhance the fabulous beauty of your garden.
When to plant alyssum seeds?
Growing alyssum from seeds. When to plant? This issue worries many gardeners who want to transform their garden with this delicate plant. In fact, it is necessary to plant alyssum, like many other unpretentious flowers, in March-April. Seeds germinate quickly, but you should pay attention to tips that will help you get healthy seedlings:
- Buy soil that is light and nutritious; you can add a small amount of lime.
- Fill the planting box ¾ full with soil, then spread out the seeds. Make sure that there are not too many seeds in one row - this will interfere with normal germination. After the planting material is spread out, lightly press the seeds with your fingers.
- Using a sprayer, sprinkle the seeds with water and cover with glass to create a greenhouse effect.
- After this, the box must be placed in a sunny place and ventilated periodically.
Growing alyssum from stump seeds is particularly difficult. If all conditions have been met, the first shoots will appear within 5-6 days.
How to harmoniously plant alyssum in a flower garden
Planting alyssum in flower beds in the photo is offered in various variations, but everywhere this plant is in the foreground. Due to its low growth, alyssum must be planted as a flower, thereby creating a special background for the entire flower garden.
If you have an unattractive block of stone in your yard and you don’t know how to transform it, pay attention to rock alyssum. This flower grows magnificently even on such hard ground, completely covering the mound with small flowers. It’s not for nothing that another name for alyssum is stone.
Alyssum is not very picky about soil, however, it is absolutely not suitable for growing in acidic soil. Therefore, before organizing a place for this plant in your flower garden, add limestone. By choosing the shade of flowers, you can create a charming rock garden that will delight you with constant flowering. Another way to harmoniously plant a flower is as a border around the lawn.
Growing alyssum from seeds - video
Alyssum is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the ground cover crops. It can be either annual or perennial. Alyssum (lobularia or alyssum) is distinguished by a large number of small flowers of different shades (it all depends on the variety).
The plant is very popular among gardeners, and they often decorate their flower beds with alyssums because they bloom lushly and exude a pleasant honey aroma. Alyssums also bloom for quite a long time and are not particularly picky in terms of care. In the article you will also see photos of samples of these colors.
Features of alyssum
The height of the plant is only from 20 to 30 centimeters. Small flowers can have the following shades:
- red;
- purple;
- white;
- pink;
- yellow.
Alyssums are grown at home in summer cottages and private households; cultivation in public city flower beds is also practiced. Most plant varieties bloom from June to October with proper care. Alyssums are able to tolerate minor cold, in particular frosts up to up to 10 degrees below zero. And some species of this plant can survive the entire winter without shedding their foliage.
In the photo you can see how wide the variety of varieties of this flower is.
Rules for planting and growing alissum
For planting and subsequent cultivation of alyssum, you need to choose well-lit areas. It also blooms in partial shade, but one of the flower cushions will be loose. In addition to the fact that the plant tolerates frost well, it is also well adapted to dry air. However, the planting area must be ventilated.
Soil for planting must have the following properties:
- ease;
- fertility;
- be moderately fertilized;
- well drained;
- neutrality.
If you plan to grow Pyrenean alyssum, then, among other things, the planting soil must contain large amounts of calcium so that the alyssum blooms well.
Places and compositions
Alyssum is planted not only in plots and flower beds. They can also be grown in pots at home and are very attractive when planted on retaining walls, rock gardens, between slabs or stones.
Alyssum looks very beautiful in compositions with other flowers. Particularly wonderful contrasts are created in combination with plants in purple, blue or pink shades. In the photo you can find such examples and evaluate how you would like to decorate your site.
And lower a list of colors is provided, with which it is best to plant alyssum:
- red tulip;
- bearded dwarf iris;
- rose;
- pelargonium;
- heliotrope;
- forest forget-me-not;
- phlox;
- rezuha;
- Aubrietta.
Features of growing alyssum
Naturally, the first question when growing alyssum is when to plant it. Into the ground planting is carried out from April to June. Disembarkation time depends on the chosen method. For example, alyssum is planted for seedlings in April, but in a flower garden - closer to summer.
The most popular methods of flower propagation are:
- semen use;
- dividing bushes;
- cuttings
Most often, gardeners plant alyssum seed. We will talk about this planting method in more detail. In the photo you can see some moments of landing.
The soil for growing alyssum needs light and nutritious soil with a minimum of lime. This flower also loves light.
Alyssum: growing from seeds
The seeds of this flower are very small. When planting, they should not be buried too deep into the ground. They should be carefully and sparsely, approximately 10-15 cm apart, place on the surface of the soil prepared in advance. For better adhesion, it can be sprayed with liquid with the addition of potassium permanganate, which is a good prevention of a number of diseases.
Then the seed is pressed with your hand to about 2 cm deep. There is no need to sprinkle them on top, since alyssum should be grown in natural light. If you plant a seed for seedlings in April, but the container with it needs to be covered with glass or film. Or something else, only transparent.
If the plant has enough light and moisture after planting, then within a week the first shoots will appear, which need to be watered moderately. When seedlings emerge densely, they should be thinned out; this is part of the care. Otherwise, the flower may get sick and flowering will be poor. Between bushes you need to maintain a distance of about 20 cm.
What to do after planting seeds for seedlings at home?
If we talk about planting seeds for seedlings, seedlings also appear within a week, provided the air temperature is about 20 degrees. If the flower seedlings are too fragile, then you need to water the tray so as not to break them with water pressure and cause disease.
Picking seedlings is carried out when 4 true leaves appear. After a few days, when the sprouts are planted in separate containers, you can think about fertilizers.
Caring for alyssum includes regular hardening; for this, the plant is taken outside every day for a few minutes.
Alyssum is transplanted into open ground at the end of May, and flowering begins about a month later. In total, from planting seeds to flowering, provided proper care, about 2 months pass. Do not forget to constantly loosen the soil, weed it and water the flowers.
In order for alyssum flowers to bloom beautifully and thickly from summer until frost, you need to follow the rules of care. One of them is moderately nutritious soil, which should not be oversaturated with organic matter, so as not to grow green mass to the detriment of flowers.
Dry soil will be more comfortable for a flower than saturated soil or places where groundwater is located too high. Therefore, when growing alissum from seeds in open ground, you need to choose the right site for it.
Features of winter planting a flower
In some cases, planting of alyssum is carried out immediately after collecting the seeds in late summer - early autumn. If the flower survives the winter, then shoots may appear very early and flowering will begin much earlier than usual.
But in this case, there is a big risk that the planting material will freeze due to shallow planting, and no amount of care will help. Therefore, if you are planning something like this , consider these factors:
- the length of winter in your region;
- average temperatures during the cold period.
Flower care and potential dangers
Behind the alyssum flowers caring isn't that hard, but you need to remember the following:
If the plant is overwatered, it may get fungal infections. In such cases, it is necessary to remove the infected flowers and treat the remaining ones with a fungicide. Alyssum is also susceptible to the negative effects of the cruciferous flea beetle; insecticides are used to combat it.
The root system of the flower may rot if the soil is too heavy and there is no drainage, keep this in mind when caring for your alyssum.
Is it possible to extend the flowering period?
Naturally, the duration of flowering of a plant depends on the correct care for it. Many subtleties in this regard were mentioned above - this is a warm place and loose, moderately nutritious soil. Also avoid prolonged dryness and don't forget to water the flower in dry weather.
In order for the bush to retain its decorative appeal after the first flowering, it is pruned so that it grows better.
If you looked at the photo of alyssum, you noticed its original appearance. You can also use it to create original flower arrangements; in addition, the flower has an incredible aroma. And the fact that alyssum is not particularly demanding in terms of care makes it a favorite in every flower garden.
Growing allisum from seeds
Alyssum (alyssum) is a perennial (some use it as an annual) plant that can decorate any terrace, balcony, garden and vegetable garden. Suitable for both planting in open ground and in pots to create various landscape displays.
General information
This lovely flower can be seen on windows and balconies when walking past high-rise buildings. They are full of a wide variety of shades. Everyone can choose according to their taste. It reaches a height of 0.4 m, there are a lot of flowers, they are small and collected in racemes.
In the garden it is very beautiful to plant them in round or oval flower beds, to create compositions in the form of a smooth transition from more saturated colors to delicate ones. It blooms in May and pleases the eye until late autumn. Has a strong honey aroma.
White ones are considered the most fragrant, so they are best planted in parks, squares and city flower beds, as the smell spreads over a long distance.
Types and varieties of alyssum
quite resistant to frost, but only up to a temperature not lower than – 15 °C. If the winters are milder, then the bush will easily overwinter if you sprinkle it with dried leaves and sprinkle snow on top in the form of a snowdrift. Pruning alyssum before frost is not recommended; the one done after the end of flowering will suffice, but in the spring it is necessary.
branched perennial, up to 0.3 m high. It grows in the form of a hemisphere with a diameter of up to 0.4 m. The leaves on the bush are preserved even in winter. It blooms with yellow flowers collected in dense clusters.
There are such varieties of it:
- « Citrinum » – lemon-yellow alyssum, low-growing.
- « Compactum "- very fragrant, only 18 cm in height with small inflorescences.
- « golden wave "- low, blooms only two years after planting with yellow flowers.
- « Plenum "- a very unusual bush with double flowers. It reaches a height of 0.4 m.
This species grows only in places with warm climates. It grows from 8 to 40 cm, the branches grow, spreading along the ground, forming fluffy shrubs with small bright inflorescences. In the wild, only white and lilac alyssums of this species are found, but a huge number of shades have been artificially bred, the flowering of which is observed from spring to autumn.
The following varieties are distinguished:
- « Tiny Tim " is a miniature ground cover plant, about 8 cm high. It blooms so densely that not a single leaf or stem is visible. You can safely experiment by combining it with tall shrubs. There is no limit to imagination.
- « Esther Bonnet Deep Rose » – blooms profusely, with rich pink flowers. Loves moderately moist soil. If there is a lot of moisture, it will rot, if there is not enough moisture, it will stop blooming.
- « Wonderland Blue » – compact with small purple inflorescences. Loves well-drained soil. Height 8-10cm, width up to 30cm.
A frost-resistant perennial with twenty-centimeter densely planted stems with yellow flowers.
It is an annual, it has white flowers and stems 10-15cm high. Photophilous, frost-resistant and drought-resistant, but in hot summers it requires moisture. If there is not enough fertilizer in the soil, fertilizing may be necessary. Otherwise, abundant flowering will be at risk.
In addition to the varieties and types of alyssum listed above, there are others. Breeders are coming up with more and more different forms and palettes of this wonderful plant.
Alyssum planting and care in open ground
Planting work begins at the end of May. Select a light area with sufficiently warm, dry, well-drained soil, which must be fertilized with humus. Alyssum blooms well next to heated stones (this could be a stone path in the garden, or decorative tiles around a flower bed, anything) and slabs.
When planting flowers in open ground, their expansion in width is taken into account, so you should maintain a distance of about 40 cm between each bush. The holes should be slightly larger than the size of the rhizome so that it fits freely into the hole. After planting, the plant is watered abundantly.
Watering alyssum
Caring for alyssum involves abundant watering, but only in well-drained soil, otherwise, if water lingers too long in the roots, the plant will disappear, and in case of drought, on the contrary, without water, the flowers will wither and fall off.
Balance is needed, so how do you determine the right time? To do this, it is enough to dig the soil with a shovel to a depth of 4-5 cm; if it is dry there, you need to water it.
Feeding alyssum
For good growth and flowering, do not forget about fertilizers. Perennial plants are fed before flowering, and annual alyssum, in order to enjoy its flowering several times, increases the amount of feeding.
Pruning alyssum
Pruning is very important for good growth and flowering. Last year's flowers, wilted leaves and missing stems are removed from perennial bushes in the spring.
In the summer, when the flowers have withered, the procedure is repeated, in addition, the shoots are pruned by 8-10 cm, which stimulates re-blooming. In addition, this will refresh the appearance of the bush, since the alyssum has grown in breadth over the summer. He doesn't need a transplant. It grows well in one place for several years.
Alyssum growing from seeds
There are two ways to propagate alyssum by seeds: seedlings and without seedlings.
Sowing in open ground is carried out in early May, by immersing the seeds to a depth of no more than 2 cm. After the emergence of seedlings, they need to be seeded. Plants planted in this way will bloom late. You can sow in November; over the winter the shoots will undergo natural selection and the strongest ones will bloom on time.
If you use the second, seedling method, then before sowing, light soil soaked in fertilizers is selected, placed in seedling boxes, seeds are scattered on top of it and sprinkled with the same soil mixture.
After that, greenhouse conditions are created (cover with film) and placed in a dry, warm and well-lit place. The room temperature should be between 10-15 °C. Shoots will appear within a week.
Collection of alyssum seeds
As for seed collection, it is carried out at the end of September. To do this, lay an awning (or blanket) under the bush and grind the inflorescences in your hands. As a result, seeds are obtained (garbage is removed). If you are late in collecting, the seeds will fall off, but they can be swept out from under the bushes with a broom and cleared of soil and other debris.
Propagation of alyssum by cuttings
Dividing a bush is one of the types of propagation. It differs in that it not only allows you to unload a heavy overgrown bush, but also guarantees 100% survival rate, since cuttings are separated only from healthy bushes of middle age (for example, after two years). Planting in the ground is no different from seedlings.
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