Sweet Alyssum
Benthamii Sweet Alyssum is a frost-tolerant heirloom flower that blooms reliably from spring through fall across zones 5-11, reaching just 10 inches tall with a compact 6-inch spread. Starting from seed to first bloom takes 56-84 days, making it fast enough for successive sowings throughout the season. This low-growing variety attracts pollinators while shrugging off deer pressure and drought stress, earning its place in borders, containers, and pollinator gardens where you need dependable, long-season color without fussing.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-11
10in H x 6in W
Annual
Moderate
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Benthamii stays neat and compact at 10 inches tall, a perfect size for edging beds or spilling from containers without overwhelming neighboring plants. Its frost tolerance means you can push the season on both ends, starting seeds indoors in early spring and watching it flower well into fall in most regions. Deer leave it alone, drought won't slow it down, and pollinators seek it out continuously from bloom to frost.
Benthamii Sweet Alyssum is grown as an ornamental flower, valued for its season-long blooms in gardens and containers. Its low, spreading habit makes it ideal for border edging, rock gardens, and window boxes where continuous color is desired from spring through fall.
Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost, keeping temperatures between 55-70°F. Surface sow and press seeds in lightly; they require light to germinate. Seedlings will sprout in 5-10 days.
Transplant seedlings outdoors once they've developed true leaves and soil temperatures are workable. Hardening off by gradually exposing plants to outdoor conditions will strengthen them before planting in their final location.
Direct sow seeds 3 weeks before your last spring frost, and successive sow every 3 weeks if you want continuous blooms throughout the season. Sprinkle seeds thinly on the soil surface and press lightly in; do not cover, as light is needed for germination.
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