Annual | Grows 4–6 inches tall | Lobularia maritima
Ever wonder what makes a garden feel alive even before the big bloomers show up? Meet Alyssum 'Carpet of Snow' — a low-growing annual that earns its keep with a honey-sweet fragrance, a cloud of pure white flowers, and a toughness that surprises most gardeners. It laughs at a late frost and keeps blooming right into fall.
Why Gardeners Love It
- Fragrant — a soft, honey-like scent that draws pollinators and people alike
- Cool-season tough — one of the first annuals you can direct-sow in spring
- Versatile — thrives in rock gardens, borders, edging, and hanging baskets
- Reblooms — trim spent flowers and it flushes again through frost
Sowing
Direct sow outdoors as soon as the ground can be worked — even as late as mid-summer. Or start indoors in March. Space seeds about ½ inch apart in rows 4–6 inches apart. Barely cover with fine soil and press down gently. Keep moist until germination.
Thinning
Once seedlings reach 2 inches tall, thin or transplant to 6–8 inches apart. They'll spread and fill in beautifully.
Germination
Expect sprouts in 10–15 days, depending on soil temperature and weather.
Great Companions
Alyssum plays well with others. Try it alongside Pansies, Calendula, Lobelia, dwarf Marigolds, or dwarf Zinnias for a layered, cottage-garden look that blooms from early spring through fall.