Lobularia maritima 'Carpet of Snow'

RHS Plant Profile
sweet alyssum 'Carpet of Snow'

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Synonyms

Alyssum 'Carpet of Snow'

Plants for pollinators
Annual Biennial Bedding
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A ground-hugging, bushy annual or short-lived perennial to 10cm tall, grown for its tiny, white, honey-scented flowers, which are borne in rounded clusters throughout summer. A good plant to attract pollinating insects

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming
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

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in situ in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Bedding
  • Garden edging

Pruning

Clip over after the first flush of blooms to encourage further flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to downy mildews, clubroot and white blister

Diseases

May be susceptible to slugs and flea beetles