Alyssum

 Flowers - family. Brassicaceae.

Origin. Southern Europe.

Description. Alyssum  or lobularia is an attractive perennial, compact herbaceous plant with very abundant and long-lasting flowering. The stems are lodging, woody with age, branched.

The leaves are simple, lanceolate, gray-green, up to 2.5 cm long, with pleasant pubescence, arranged alternately on the stems. 

Flowers are very small, with 4 petals, collected in inflorescences that appear on the tops of thin stems, can be white, pink, purple, burgundy, and have a very pleasant, intense, bitter aroma of honey.

Height. 10 - 25 cm.

Growing in open ground

Alyssum can be planted in open ground directly from seeds or (most often) from home-grown seedlings. Seedlings purchased from flower shops are also used for growing in open ground.

Seeds collected by hand can be used for propagation in open ground. Seeds are taken only from fully ripened pods that form on the bushes in the first half of autumn.

A warm, dry and windless day is chosen for collection. A sheet of newspaper or light fabric can be spread under the lobularia bushes, and disposable plates can be used to collect seeds. The pods can be rubbed directly on the plant with your fingertips, in which case the seeds will fall directly onto paper or fabric.

The resulting planting material is dried in a warm place and packed in paper or fabric bags.

In open ground, seeds are sown in early May - when the likelihood of recurrent frosts is low or before winter. Autumn sowing is carried out in such a way that the shoots do not appear before the onset of winter.

Perennial species are often grown by sowing seeds directly into open ground.

Select a place for planting that is protected from strong winds and sow in shallow furrows. The distance between the grooves is maintained at approximately 15 - 20 cm.

The seeds are covered on top with a layer of soil about 1.5 cm thick. With greater depth, the germination of seeds sharply decreases, since young shoots do not have enough strength to overcome such a thickness of soil.

When sowing in autumn, the seeds will naturally undergo preliminary stratification, and the first shoots will appear in early spring and flowering will begin in July and last until frost.

When sown in May, flowering will occur somewhat later - in August. After the first young shoots appear, they are thinned out so that they do not interfere with each other’s development.

When using seedlings, the seeds are sown in peat pots in late February - early March. The seedlings are planted in a permanent place in the second half of May - when the top layer of soil, about 8-10 cm thick, has warmed up well.

Alyssum prefers well-lit places, inaccessible to strong gusts of wind, with neutral and very nutritious soil containing a large amount of organic matter.

The bushes are planted in such a way that a distance of 40 - 50 cm is maintained between them. Despite its low height, lobularia can form quite wide bushes with lodging stems - this must be taken into account when planting.

To improve drainage, it is advisable to add a small amount of river sand to the soil.

Planting is carried out by transshipment - young seedlings are taken out of the cups and immersed in the planting hole together with the lump of earth, without destroying it.

When planting, it is necessary to maintain the same depth at which the plant was in the cup. Deep deepening can lead to delayed flowering and rotting of the stems. The soil around the plantings is slightly compacted and watered abundantly.

Care in open ground consists of periodic weeding, loosening the soil, timely watering and fertilizing with fertilizers.

Remember that young plants that need to build up green mass need fertilizers containing a large amount of nitrogen. At a later age, for the formation of buds, fertilizers with a high content of potassium and phosphorus are suitable.

In total, from planting to autumn, plants are fed 4 times - approximately every month.

Since lobularia does not like dry soil, and also suffers from fast-growing weeds, after planting its bushes can be mulched with sawdust or straw or peat. 

Unfortunately, alyssum does not withstand prolonged frosts below -15 °C and cannot overwinter outdoors in harsh climatic conditions.

If you decide to leave this attractive, delicate species for a second year, then take it home in the fall, planting it in a pot. Such specimens will bloom on the windowsill until the beginning of December.

In more southern latitudes, they are covered for the winter with a layer of spruce branches, fallen leaves or non-woven material and sprinkled with snow on top. The plants are uncovered in early spring, as soon as the snow melts from this place. Alyssum will immediately appear from under the shelter with green leaves.

In the spring months, the bushes are trimmed, removing frozen and old shoots.

Planting and care

Soil

 Nutritious and well-drained soil with a neutral or slightly acidic pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.2. Adapts well to most types of soil.

Most alyssums prefer to be in a light, fairly nutritious substrate that allows moisture and air to pass well to the roots of the plant.

A mixture of humus, peat with leaf and turf soil is suitable for cultivation. To improve drainage, add a small amount of coarse river sand, perlite or vermiculite to the soil.

Some species are less demanding regarding soil composition and can thrive even in nutrient-poor soils with a lot of stones.

Reproduction, growing from seeds 

Alyssum is propagated by seeds, which are planted in the spring. Seeds retain their germination capacity for 3 years - then it sharply declines. 

1. For sowing, prepare small plastic containers with a lid and drainage holes in the bottom. 
2. A small drainage layer in the form of fine expanded clay is placed at the bottom of the container.
3. Fill the containers with very light, nutritious peat-based soil.
4. The substrate is well moistened using a fine spray bottle.
5. Sowing is carried out on the surface of the soil, only lightly pressing the seeds into the ground with your fingertips. You can sprinkle the crops with a thin layer of sand on top.
6. Seedlings are placed in a moderately warm (with a temperature of approximately 15 to 18 ° C) and well-lit place without access to direct sunlight.
7. The lid of the container is closed or the crops are covered with glass or a transparent plastic bag to maintain uniform high humidity. 

Periodically remove the lid or glass, remove condensation and ventilate the container. The first shoots can be noticed within 4 - 10 days - at this time the cover from the container can be completely removed.

With the appearance of the first true leaf, the seedlings are fed with fertilizers diluted in half the dose recommended on the package.

Picking into separate small cups is done when 2-3 true leaves appear on each bush. After picking, approximately 7-10 days later, feeding is also done.

When the cups become too tight, the flower is planted in a permanent place of residence.

The first flowering of bushes obtained from seeds will occur at the age of about 1.5 months.

Thus, growing alyssum from seeds is quite simple, often under adult bushes you can even find self-seeding.

Among the vegetative methods of propagation, you can use the method of air layering. Long stems are pinned to the soil and lightly sprinkled with soil. After some time, roots appear at the leaf nodes and new growth begins.

Then young shoots are separated from the mother specimens when they already have a well-developed root system and green above-ground part.

It reproduces well by semi-lignified stem cuttings 8–12 cm long.

1. Planting material is cut in spring or late summer. For pruning, use only a sharp and sterile instrument.
2. The lower leaves and all buds are removed from the cuttings.
3. The bases of the cuttings are dusted with growth hormones.
4. Rooting is carried out in a warm place, shaded from direct sunlight.
5. Immerse the cuttings in well-moistened and loose soil made of peat and river sand.
6. Young seedlings are covered with a transparent plastic cap or glass to maintain uniform humidity.
7. The soil is periodically moistened with a fine spray, never allowing it to dry out.

The successful completion of the rooting process will be indicated by the appearance of the first signs of new growth.

Such cuttings also take root well in a simple glass of water. The disadvantage of this method is only a slight delay in development when planted in the substrate - thus the root system simply gets used to new conditions. 

Adult lobularia bushes can be divided into 2 - 3 parts using sharp pruning shears. The wound surface formed after this procedure is treated with chiseled charcoal or ash for drying and disinfection.

In this way, old specimens can be rejuvenated. The cuttings are planted in separate holes and watered generously. At first, such divisions need to be carefully looked after and watered in a timely manner.

How to grow at home, prune

When flowering begins to decline, cut the stems to 1/3 of the length, this will help the plant form side shoots and bloom again. After such pruning and abundant feeding, the first buds can be expected in 2-3 weeks.

When sanitary pruning, promptly remove old and diseased shoots with sharp, sterilized pruning shears - this will help maintain the attractive appearance of the bush. Also remove yellowed and dry leaves that will periodically appear at the base of the shoots.

When does bloom? 

Mostly flowering occurs in the summer months; with proper care and timely pruning, you can expect re-blooming in the same season.

The most abundant and long-lasting flowering will be in those plants that receive regular watering, are grown in a well-lit place and are fed in a timely manner.

Some varieties are able to bloom already at the end of spring and their flowering can only be interrupted by frost and snow. 

Transplant 

Often grown as an annual species and does not require replanting. If necessary, garden plants can be replanted in a pot in the fall, before frost sets in.

When grown as a perennial, plant annually in spring in fresh substrate.

1. For planting, select a pot with large drainage holes.
2. At the bottom of the pot, lay a layer of drainage material in the form of broken bricks, expanded clay or fragments of clay pots.
3. A small layer of soil is poured onto the drainage.
4.  It is best to move the bush by transshipment - it is placed in a new container together with the old lump of earth, without destroying it.
5. The planting depth should also remain the same.
6. Fresh substrate is sprinkled around the root system and lightly compacted with fingertips to remove air pockets.
7. After planting, the plant is thoroughly watered with water at room temperature and the excess moisture that appears in the pan after watering is drained.

Transplanted flowers are placed in a well-lit place without direct sunlight.

The first feeding is carried out 2 - 3 weeks after transplantation to give the root system time to get used to the new conditions. 

Fertilizer 

During the period of active growth, feed alyssum with water-soluble fertilizers once a month at half concentration.

Lobularia does not like excess nutrients, so the nutrient solution is prepared weak, diluting it with water to half the recommended dosage.

In the winter months, fertilizing is stopped, allowing a period of rest. Resume fertilizing only in the spring, when the first signs of new growth appear.

Fertilizers should be applied only after preliminary abundant watering, since too concentrated a nutrient solution getting on the root system in dry soil can cause a burn.

Young seedlings are fed with fertilizers with a high nitrogen content to stimulate the appearance of shoots and leaves, for older bushes, fertilizers for flowering plants with a high content of potassium and phosphorus are used for abundant formation of buds.

Alyssum responds positively to the use of organic fertilizers in the form of slurry or humus and humus.

Diseases and pests 

• The plant rots if watered too frequently or with insufficient drainage.
• Alyssum is able to shed unopened buds and flowers if it lacks moisture during the period of active growth.
• Excess nitrogen fertilizers will lead to the growth of green mass at the expense of flowering.
• Among fungal diseases,  late blight, rust or powdery mildew may appear on lobularia if kept in too humid conditions, in a cool and poorly ventilated area. Also, a good prerequisite for the appearance of fungal diseases is the cultivation of lobularia in too cramped conditions, when the bushes are located too close to each other.
• A leaf mosaic may appear from viral diseases - unfortunately, the affected plants cannot be treated - they must be destroyed.
• In low light it blooms less abundantly.
• The leaves turn yellow when grown in soil that is too heavy, when the root system does not receive enough oxygen, or when the watering regime is violated. 

Pests that can attack the plant include, for example, cruciferous flea beetles and cabbage moths. When grown at home, mealybugs may appear. 

Growing conditions - temperature

Normal room temperature from spring to late autumn. The most suitable conditions for this flower are moderate or cool conditions in the range of 15 to 18 °C.

With the onset of intense summer heat, the pots are brought into the coolest room, abundantly watered and humidified. If kept in too warm conditions, the flowering time will be reduced.

In the autumn and winter months, it should be kept in a cool place at a temperature of about 5-10 °C so that it gains strength for the next season.

Does not tolerate prolonged frosts - bushes die at temperatures of -15 °C and below.

Lighting

Alyssum prefers a well-lit place without direct sunlight. Shoots and leaves can take sun baths only in the morning and evening hours.

During the day, especially in spring and autumn, it is better to shade the flower, since the sun's activity at this time is too high.

Some species are accustomed to direct sunlight and do not feel well when grown in partial shade.

Watering 

Lobularia prefers uniformly moist soil without drying out or waterlogging. When drying out, the bushes look sluggish, but recover very quickly after the next watering. It is especially important to monitor the regularity of watering during the period of active growth and flowering.

In the autumn months, the frequency of watering is gradually reduced, and in the winter months, water significantly less, drying the substrate between waterings to about 1/3 of the depth.

For watering, use only well-settled, filtered or bottled water at room temperature. Watering with tap water that has not settled will contribute to the accumulation of salts in the soil.

It is advisable to water so that moisture does not get on the leaves and buds.

Spraying 

Alyssum adapts well to the dry air of living spaces, spraying is not required. In autumn and winter, when kept in a cool place, the air should be dry.

Remember that moisture droplets falling on the pubescent leaves can lead to rotting.

Lobularia prefers to be in constantly ventilated rooms with good air circulation.

Purpose

A valuable ornamental flowering species that develops quickly and forms a dense flower carpet. When grown outdoors, it is used as a border for a flower bed and looks great on a balcony or terrace.

In flower beds, it is used as an annual groundcover plant, and indoors it can be grown for several years as an ampelous bush or as a groundcover flower.

Lobularia allows designers to create multi-colored compositions from varieties with different shades of buds, and long flowering, which also occurs at different times for different varieties, allows you to get a flowering flower bed from spring to autumn.

Some varieties have many useful properties and are used in folk medicine as an antipyretic and analgesic; it is believed that the decoction helps to whiten the skin and get rid of age spots and freckles. Taking a decoction of alyssum inside helps to break down and remove kidney stones.

Note

Young leaves, stems and flowers of alyssum are sometimes used as a seasoning in salads and other dishes.

Alyssum saxatile

Evergreen perennial plants, originating from Central and south-eastern Europe, do not exceed 30 cm in height. The leaves are gray-green, up to 12 cm long. In spring or early summer, the plants form apical inflorescences containing many yellow bright flowers. The flowering period is quite long - the bushes are in bloom for one to one and a half months. 

Alyssum maritimum

An evergreen perennial from Southern Europe with thin, stiff, often lodging stems and narrow, green leaves. During the flowering period, small inflorescences consisting of pink, salmon, purple, white or yellow flowers form at the tops of the stems. The plant can throw out buds from June to October, and cutting off the faded inflorescences can cause re-blooming during the season. Alyssum flowers emit an extremely pleasant honey aroma. 

Alyssum Wonderland

Miniature plants that often do not exceed 10 centimeters in height. They have oblong light green leaves. During the summer months, the plants produce terminal inflorescences consisting of small, 4-petalled, white, lavender, purple, pink, or burgundy flowers. The flowering is so abundant that the buds completely hide the foliage. The duration of flowering can reach 50 - 70 days and all this time the plants emit a pleasant sweetish smell.

Alyssum Easter Bonnet

Medium-sized variety - bushes reach a height of 10 to 25 cm. The plant has elegant, fragrant, small flowers in shades of white, yellow, lilac, pink, crimson, purple, salmon. A distinctive feature of this variety is its very abundant and long-lasting flowering. 

Alyssum montanum

Compact evergreen perennials with erect, thin, stiff stems. The plant has silver-green or green, oblong leaves. Often, this miniature variety does not exceed 10 - 15 cm in height. Flowering is early - the first buds may appear in mid-spring. The flowers are golden orange or yellow and cover the plants so abundantly that they completely hide the foliage.