Sweet Alyssum Flower Facts & Meaning (Lobularia Maritima)
Sweet Alyssum: Definitely a Sweet Deal!
As sweet as its name, sweet alyssum or Lobularia maritima is a no-fuss plant. It can grow easily and can be propagated through seed or plant itself. Lobularia is a Greek word, which refers to its fruit, and roughly translates to small pod. This perennial plant is short-lived and can grow up to 30 cm tall.
The Scent of Sweet Alyssum
The tiny flowers of sweet alyssum emit sweet scent that is barely there and is still not. Some people find its fragrance similar to honey. Its faint and subtle scent is intoxicating and makes you fall in love with it. For people, who don’t like to be bombarded with overwhelming scents, it is the perfect option!
However, don’t be fooled by its dainty and delicate nature as it can withstand both the neglect and care with same panache. Sweet alyssum is quite the superhero of annual plants with unparalleled drought and heat-resistance properties. No wonder that it is now thriving in wide regions and has become naturalized in the United States too. Member of the mustard family, this plant fare well in milder climates and is capable of self sowing. The blooming season for the plant is usually from June to October. Re-blooming can be forced upon by cutting the flowers that are wilted. Partial shade and full sun is preferred by the plant for gardening. However, if you are eyeing fresh cut sweet alyssum flowers, keep them away from heat and sunlight! These are ideal for container gardening, borders, in hanging baskets and for planters.
The flowers are tiny and cross-shaped, arranged in round racemes and white, purple and pink in color. The dense cluster of small flowers offshoots from the branch. If you find yourself falling in love with them, read on for the information that might be helpful for you.
How to Grow Sweet Alyssum in the Garden:
The leaves of fruits are 3-5mm wide and up to 4mm long. The blooms have four round petals of white, violet, red or pink color. Besides four sepals, the six stamens of sweet alyssum flowers have yellow anthers. Areas free of frost are ideal for the flowers and can grow all-year long in favorable weather. The pollination is done by insects.
It likes sun but it is better to show them some shade during the time when sun is at extreme. Blooming season is early spring for sweet alyssum. Repeat flowering is also seen in some varieties throughout the fall and winter but most of the species stop flowering whenever the temperature soars.
