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A mature Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) growing in a residential garden bedFoliage

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Sweet Alyssum

Lobularia maritima

Sweet Alyssum is a medium-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 5-9, that matures to about 0.3-0.8 ft × 0.5-1 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with low water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect purple and white blooms in spring and summer. It attracts butterflies, moths and pollinators, stands up well to drought and dry soil, grows happily in containers.

USDA zones
5-9
Sun
Full sun, Part shade
Water
Low
Mature size
0.3-0.8 ft × 0.5-1 ft
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Soil
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry
Bloom color
Purple, White
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Attracts
Butterflies, Moths, Pollinators, Beneficial insects, Songbirds
Tough against
Drought, Dry soil
Native to
Southern Europe

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score Sweet Alyssum’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

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