Allisum honey aroma at their summer cottage
Alyssum is a beautiful undersized plant that attracts not only with many flowers, but also with an elegant magical aroma. Alissum landing and leaving, which is not particularly difficult, still requires attention. This plant is notable for its short stature and unpretentiousness, it will still be useful for novice gardeners to learn about some of the nuances of growing a flower, in order to ultimately get a beautiful landscape composition.
Alyssum: not, a plant, but a fairy tale
Considering alyssum, it seems that here a huge number of cutest flowers are intertwined with each other, completely covering the soil. Behind such splendor it is very difficult even to make out the leaves, which is not so important, because all the beauty of a plant is in its flowers. Alyssum is often compared to an air cloud. This juxtaposition is very appropriate - delicate small flowers seem to make up an openwork strip of light shades, and the fragrant aroma of vanilla and honey only complements the fabulous image.
Planting and caring for perennial alyssum
Alyssum became very quickly popular when arranging rock gardens: due to the fact that this plant has highly branched shoots that lie tightly on the ground, it manages to hide any defects in the soil - cracks, holes or ditches. Even an amateur gardener can plant and care for alyssum, the main thing that is needed for this is a little patience.
A plant belonging to the cruciferous family, there are more than 150 species, each of which has a rich aroma, shade or flowering time. Landscape designers liked the perennial alissum.
Planting a perennial plant, like an annual, is possible in open ground or in balcony boxes. In the second case, the most favorable time for planting is the beginning or mid-March, when there are more sunny days. If you choose to land immediately at a permanent place, then it is worth choosing the time when the frost stops and a constant positive temperature is established. Under favorable weather conditions, young shoots appear within a few days. Consider the seedlings carefully: if you notice that the plant is too densely planted, it should be transplanted. Planting and caring for alyssum in the open field is very simple - for this you need to regularly water the plant, once a month apply universal fertilizing.
Over time, the initial shoots of alyssum begin to lignify, while more and more new branches are formed that cover the entire surface of the earth. The grown alyssum tolerates light frosts well, so it will delight with its exuberant flowering until mid-October.
In order for a perennial plant to please you with a constant abundance of flowers, it is necessary to prune it every spring. This process provokes the growth of new shoots, increasing the total area of distribution of alyssum.
Alyssum pests
It should be remembered that the plant belongs to the same species as cabbage, therefore, in many ways, the planting and care of the alissum flower are similar.In order to prevent the multiplication of cabbage or cruciferous fleas, it is necessary to start treatment on time using special chemicals.
If you begin to notice that the leaves of alyssum turn black, it means that they were struck by powdery mildew. You can fight this disease using a fungicide. It is also worth remembering that you cannot often prune shoots. Proper planting and caring for an ornamental plant will help you preserve and enhance the fabulous beauty of your garden.
When to plant alyssum seeds?
Growing alissum from seeds. When to plant? This question is alarmed by many gardeners who want to transform their site with this delicate plant. In fact, planting alissum, like many other unpretentious flowers, is necessary in March-April. The seeds germinate quickly, but there are tips to help you get healthy seedlings:
- Purchase soil that is light and nutritious, you can add a small amount of lime.
- Fill the planting box ¾ with soil, then spread the seeds. Make sure that there are not too many seeds in one row - this will be an obstacle to normal germination. After the planting material is spread out, press down slightly on the seeds with your fingers.
- Use a sprayer to spray the seeds with water and cover with glass to create a greenhouse effect.
- After that, the box must be placed in a sunny place and periodically ventilated.
Growing alissum from tree stump seeds is particularly difficult. If all conditions have been met, the first shoots will appear in 5-6 days.
How to harmoniously plant alissum in a flower garden
Planting alyssum in flower beds in the photo is offered in various variations, but everywhere this plant is in the foreground. Due to its short stature, alissum must be planted as groundcover, thereby creating a special background for the entire flower garden.
If you have a nondescript boulder in your yard, and you do not know how to transform it, pay attention to the rock alyssum. This flower grows superbly even on such hard ground, completely covering the mound with small flowers. It is not for nothing that another name for alissum is stonemason.
Alyssum is not very picky about the soil, however, it is categorically not suitable for growing in acidic soil. Therefore, before arranging a place for this plant in your flower garden, add limestone. By choosing a shade of flowers, you can create a charming rock garden that will delight with constant flowering. Another way to harmoniously plant a flower is as a border around the lawn.