Alyssum – Sweet Tall White

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Alyssum ‘Sweet Tall White’ (Lobularia maritima) is a fragrant annual flower that produces dense clusters of small, pure-white flowers. This taller-growing form generally reaches about 8–12 inches in height and develops a branching, spreading habit. The flowers have a sweet, honey-like fragrance and can cover much of the foliage when plants are in full bloom.

Sweet Alyssum grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil. It is adaptable to a range of garden soils and can tolerate some dry conditions once established. In hot climates, plants may slow or temporarily stop flowering during periods of intense summer heat and can resume blooming when temperatures moderate.

This variety is well suited to flower borders, edging, walkways, containers, rock gardens, mass plantings, pollinator gardens, and seasonal ground cover. Its taller growth makes it useful where a little more height is desired than compact Sweet Alyssum varieties provide.

Sweet Alyssum is native to the western and central Mediterranean region and is not native to the United States. It has been introduced and naturalized in numerous areas of the country, including Oregon, Washington, California, and many states across the eastern and southern United States.

Sweet Alyssum is generally grown as an annual, although it can persist as a short-lived perennial in mild climates. Plants may reseed where growing conditions are favorable.

Growing Conditions

Sweet Alyssum performs best in:

• Full sun to partial shade
• Fertile, well-drained soil
• Moderate and consistent moisture
• Loamy, sandy, or other well-drained garden soils
• Cool to moderate growing conditions

Plants can tolerate some dry conditions once established, but adequate moisture helps maintain vigorous growth and flowering.

Avoid locations with consistently saturated or poorly drained soil.

Planting

Sweet Alyssum is easy to establish from seed and can be planted directly outdoors or started indoors.

For direct seeding, prepare a firm, weed-free seed bed and broadcast the seed evenly over the soil surface. Press the seed firmly into the soil to provide good seed-to-soil contact. Avoid covering the seed deeply, as Sweet Alyssum seed should be planted very shallowly.

For indoor starting, sow approximately 4–6 weeks before the expected last spring frost and transplant outdoors once conditions are suitable.

Pacific Northwest Planting

In Oregon and much of the Pacific Northwest, spring planting is generally the preferred method for establishing Sweet Alyssum as an annual.

Sow outdoors after the danger of severe frost has passed and soil conditions are suitable. Keep the seed bed evenly moist during germination and early establishment.

Fall planting may also be successful in areas with mild winters, but spring planting provides a more reliable establishment window in colder portions of the Pacific Northwest.

Warm-Climate Planting

In warmer regions, fall planting can be advantageous because plants can establish and flower during cooler portions of the growing season.

Sweet Alyssum generally performs best when protected from prolonged periods of extreme summer heat.

Germination & Establishment

Sweet Alyssum generally germinates in approximately 15–20 days under favorable conditions.

Good seed-to-soil contact and consistent moisture are important during germination. Because the seed is small, avoid deep planting or covering the seed heavily with soil.

Plants can begin flowering approximately 5–6 weeks after establishment, depending on planting date, temperature, and growing conditions.

Blooming

‘Sweet Tall White’ produces dense clusters of fragrant white flowers.

Flowering can occur from spring through fall when growing conditions remain favorable. In hot summer weather, flowering may decrease or temporarily stop. Plants can often resume flowering when temperatures become cooler.

Trimming plants after flowering can encourage fresh growth and additional blooms.

Choosing the Right Site

Choose a location with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

Sweet Tall White is particularly well suited to:

• Flower borders
• Garden edging
• Walkways
• Rock gardens
• Containers
• Mass plantings
• Pollinator gardens
• Seasonal ground cover
• Low-growing landscape areas

Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Value

Sweet Alyssum produces abundant, fragrant flowers that provide nectar and pollen for a variety of beneficial insects.

The flowers attract bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other flower-visiting insects. Sweet Alyssum is particularly useful as an insectary plant because it can attract hoverflies and other beneficial insects.

Hoverfly larvae of some species prey on aphids, making Sweet Alyssum a useful companion plant around vegetable gardens and other plantings where supporting beneficial insects is desired.

Important Planting Consideration

Sweet Alyssum is an introduced species in the United States. Although it is widely grown as an ornamental and pollinator plant, it has been reported as invasive in certain areas, including portions of Northern California.

If planting Sweet Alyssum near natural areas or in restoration settings, check with your state Department of Agriculture, local extension service, or other regional authority for current recommendations.

Larger Quantities

For quantities larger than those currently listed for sale, please contact us for availability and pricing.

Seeding Rates

The broadcast rate for seeding is 4–5 pounds per acre.

The seed drill rate for seeding in rows is 2 pounds per acre.