Lobularia maritima 'Snowdrift'

RHS Plant Profile
sweet alyssum 'Snowdrift'

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sweet alyssum 'Snowdrift' RHS 1998
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Annual Biennial Bedding

'Snowdrift' is a spreading annual to 15cm in height, with pure white, very fragrant flowers in rounded heads, in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Lobularia can be annuals or perennials, of low spreading habit, with simple leaves and short terminal racemes of 4-petalled, fragrant flowers in summer
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Clip over after flowering to encourage further blooms

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in situ in late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Slugs and flea beetles may be a problem

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews, club root and white blister