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Alyssum is a spectacular perennial that covers the beds with a continuous carpet. There are more than 100 varieties of this flower. One of the most popular is the Snow Carpet variety, which blooms profusely in late spring.
Description of alyssum
Alyssum Snow Carpet is a groundcover annual, reaching a height of 10-15 cm. Its shoots branch strongly and, when growing, occupy all the free space in the garden bed.
Alyssum produces small white flowers collected in hemispherical racemes. Each flower consists of 4 rounded petals and a yellow center.
The color of the Snow Carpet variety is white. The leaves are bright green, oblong, almost invisible due to the lush inflorescences. The plant is a honey plant and has a pleasant aroma. The honey smell attracts butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Pollination occurs with the participation of insects. In autumn, oblong capsules filled with seeds are formed. The Snow Carpet variety has very small seeds; there are more than 1000 of them in 1 g. After collection, the seeds are used for planting for 3 years.
The first mentions of alissum are found in the 17th century.In its natural environment, the plant lives in Europe, the Middle and Far East, and North America.
The chemical composition of the flower has been little studied. The seeds contain fatty oils and organic acids, while the stems contain flavonoids and alkaloids.
In folk medicine, alyssum is used as a diuretic and diaphoretic. It is believed that drugs based on it help against bites of rabid animals. In Altai, the plant is included in preparations that help with hernia and colds.
When used externally, it has a whitening effect. It is used to get rid of post-acne, freckles and other spots on the face.
Photo of Alyssum Snow Carpet:
Planting a flower
Alyssum is grown from seeds. Planting material can be purchased at a gardening store or collected independently. In the southern regions, the seeds are immediately placed in the ground. In cold climates it is better to get seedlings first.
Selecting a location
Alyssum Snow Carpet grows in sunny areas. In arid regions, the flower is planted in partial shade to protect it from the scorching rays of the sun.
The flower will decorate borders and mixborders. Alyssum planted in street planter. When choosing a place for planting, you need to take into account that the flower grows quickly, so it can inhibit other plants. It is planted in multi-level flower beds, lawns, under shrubs and trees. The flower will fill the empty spaces in the garden bed.
In nature, alyssum grows on rocky slopes. In a garden plot, the flower is suitable for decorating alpine slides. The plant is planted between slabs and stones, well heated by the sun.
Alyssum is placed on a hill.When planting in lowlands, there is a high probability of moisture accumulation and rotting of the plant’s root system.
Heavy clay soil does not allow moisture to pass through well. The addition of coarse river sand helps improve its properties.
Growing from seeds
Alyssum Snow Carpet is grown in seedlings or the seeds are planted directly into open ground. A more reliable option is to use seedlings.
Young plants are moved to a permanent place in the required order, maintaining a gap between seedlings. The seedlings take root well and begin to actively develop.
You can first steam the soil in a water bath or place it in the refrigerator. This gets rid of pathogens and pest larvae.
The procedure for growing Snow Carpet from alyssum seeds:
- Shallow containers are filled with soil, which is watered abundantly.
- The seeds are scattered over the surface and covered with a thin layer of soil.
- The containers are covered with film or glass and left in a dark, warm place. Periodically moisten the soil and ventilate the plantings.
- Shoots will appear in 7-10 days. Grown plants are thinned out, leaving 3-5 cm between them.
- After 1 leaf appears, the plants are watered with a solution containing complex fertilizer.
- When 2 leaves develop, the seedlings are planted in separate containers.
If weather conditions permit, you can do without picking and immediately transfer the plants to open ground. Alyssum is replanted at the end of May, when spring frosts have passed.
Leave 20 cm between plants, since the flower quickly takes up free space. A planting hole is prepared in the garden bed, where the seedling is placed along with a lump of earth.The plant is not buried; its roots are covered with soil and watered abundantly.
In warm climates they do without seedlings. Alyssum seeds are planted in an open area in April-May, when the soil is sufficiently warm. With this method of planting, the flowering period shifts. The seeds are planted to a depth of 1.5 cm and the soil is watered. When the shoots appear, they are thinned out.
Another option for growing Snow Carpet alyssum from seeds is winter sowing. In November, planting material is placed in the garden bed and covered with soil. During the winter, the seeds undergo natural stratification. When changing temperature conditions, seed germination is stimulated, and seedlings grow strong and resistant to any weather conditions.
In the spring, the emerging shoots are thinned out and the strongest plants are left. Flower care is the same as with the seedling method. When the alyssum grows, you can plant it in other beds.
Alyssum care
Abundant flowering of alyssum ensures proper care. The flower garden is watered during drought, the soil is loosened, and weeds eliminated. The plant rarely gets sick and is affected by pests; folk remedies and chemicals are used to get rid of them.
Watering
Alyssum Snow Carpet flowers need regular watering. During drought, the plant sheds buds and flowers. Abundant watering is carried out only when the soil has good water permeability. Heavy clay soil does not allow moisture to pass through well, which leads to stagnation and death of the flower.
The need for watering is determined by the condition of the soil. If the soil is dry at a depth of 3-5 cm, then it’s time to add moisture. The flower garden is watered with warm, settled water.
Moisture is added in the morning or evening hours. It is best to water the flower garden using the sprinkling method. Strong jets of water wash away the soil and expose the root system of plants.
After watering, the soil is loosened to improve the flower’s absorption of moisture and nutrients. Be sure to weed out weeds, especially after planting young plants. When alyssum grows, its shoots will suppress the development of weeds.
Top dressing
Fertilizer application promotes continuous flowering of Snow Carpet Alyssum. Feeding is especially important when growing flowers on poor soils.
Young plants are fed with nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate shoot growth. For 10 liters of water add 1 tbsp. l. urea or ammonium nitrate. The fertilizer is dissolved in water, and the resulting product is watered over the flower garden.
An annual plant can be fed up to 4 times during the season. Any flower fertilizer will be a universal option for feeding. A gap of 2-3 weeks is maintained between treatments.
Photo of alyssum Snow carpet with heavy feeding:
Trimming
Annual alyssum is pruned as the inflorescences fade. If the plant dries out during drought, its branches are also removed. After pruning and watering, the plant produces new shoots and buds.
From the second half of September, alyssum seeds are collected. To obtain more planting material, a piece of white fabric is placed on the ground. Dried flowers are ground by hand. Seeds are stored in a dry, warm place or planted in winter.
In autumn, alyssum Snow Carpet flowers are dug up by the roots. If you don't collect the seeds, they will fall on the ground. Next year, new shoots will appear at the place where the alyssum was grown.
Diseases and pests
Alyssum is rarely affected by diseases.Factors that provoke the development of diseases are high humidity and stagnation of moisture in the roots.
The plant is affected by late blight, which looks like brown spots on the surface of shoots and leaves. The disease also spreads to the root system of the flower. When signs of disease appear, the flower garden is treated fungicides Thanos or Ordan. An effective method of combating late blight is spraying alyssum with copper oxychloride.
The flower is susceptible to powdery mildew, which is determined by the presence of a white or gray coating resembling powder. The spreader of the disease is the mycelium of the fungus, which penetrates plant cells. Bordeaux mixture and chemical preparations Topaz and Flint Star are effective against powdery mildew.
Alyssum Snow Carpet attracts the cruciferous flea beetle, which feeds on the above-ground parts of plants. The size of the insect does not exceed 3 mm. Pests are repelled by strong odors. For 10 liters of water add 1 tbsp. l. vinegar and spraying the flower garden.
Caterpillars, white moths and cabbage moths are dangerous for alyssum. Plants are treated against pests with infusion of chamomile or tobacco. To keep the product on the leaves longer, crushed soap is added to it.
Conclusion
Alyssum is an unpretentious plant that can fill empty corners of the garden. The Snow Carpet variety grows actively in sunny areas and light soils. Its bushes are completely covered with snow-white flowers. Plant care is minimal and includes watering, loosening the soil and fertilizing.
