Alyssum is considered one of the best ground cover perennials. The plant attracts bright colors of petals and fragrant aroma that spreads throughout the district. Flower growers often combine colors, creating unique compositions resembling patterns of Persian carpets. In this article we will explain how to grow an alissum in a bed of flowers, which varieties are popular and what is better to combine with.
Did you know? Botanists are prone to the version that allisum received its official name as a result of medicinal properties that were widely used in ancient times, and today have lost their relevance. Translated from Latin, the phrase "a lyssa" means "devoid of dog rabies."
Alyssum: what is this plant
Burachok, loburiariya, lawn, stone - alisum in ornamental floriculture uses these parallel adverbs. The plant is very popular, and the main secret of his celebrity lies in the simplicity and beauty of an unpretentious flower, which, moreover, has earned the respect of beekeepers for its melliferous qualities.
Alyssum in the botanical description, designated as flowering culture, belonging to the Cruciferous family of the genus Burachok. The main outward signs of the plant are short stems, reaching up to 8 - 30 cm, with small oblong leaves of lanceolate form and four-leaved small flowers, gathered in inflorescences.
Old sprouts of this plant have properties to grow, and the foliage gets a smoky tint due to thick pubescence. Floral brushes are different, but most often there are lemon, purple, yellow, scarlet and white tones.
The best neighbors for alissum will be: phloxes, carnations, muscari, tulips, obriet, salvia, irises, calendula, marigolds and even roses.
Regardless of the color, they have a pleasant honey-vanilla aroma. After flowering on the shoots ripen pod-like fruits with flat, very fine grains. Scientists have calculated that about 3.5 thousand seeds fit in one gram.
In the floriculture alissum is represented by hundreds of species that are common in the Mediterranean, which is the birthplace of culture, as well as in European and Asian countries. Moreover, botanists distinguish groups of annual and perennial, herbaceous and shrub plants.
Another feature of the flower is the duration of flowering. The bright carpet of alissum flares up with life-giving colors at the end of May and fades away with autumn frosts.
Florists have appreciated the simplicity of alissum in growing and maintenance. It is a very unpretentious, sun-loving culture that develops well on neutral, moist soils, and can also endure a prolonged drought. Perennials adapt to winter conditions. The plant multiplies seed, cutting method and division of rhizomes.
Important! The period from mid-March to April is the best time to sow allisum seeds. In the open ground flowering seedlings are planted in May.
Common flower types
Breeders supplement the natural variety of lobularia with new hybrids, assigning them unusual names like "white carpet", "pink carpet". But in horticulture, the mountain, rocky, marine, creeping and Pyrenean alissum species, which are notable for their cultivation and appearance, have always been very popular. Let us consider in more detail their main characteristics.
Gmelin
It is popularly called the mountain. Outwardly, it is an undersized gray-green culture with growing upward or lying shoots, not more than 20 cm long. The stems are densely covered with foliage with a stellate pile. Sun-yellow splashes of inflorescences appear in the middle of spring, and in May the leguminous fruits begin to form.
Important! In order for allisum to enjoy as long as possible with abundant flowering and not lose its decorative effect at the same time, experienced gardeners advise cutting the shoots during the formation of pods by 8 cm.
Botanists include Alissum Gmelin (alyssum gmelinii) to perennial herbaceous plants and note its prevalence in the area of the meadow-steppe zones of Ukraine and Moldova. Yellow brushes of the species can be seen on the side of roads, ditched landslides and abandoned fields. Cultivated varieties of this species are resistant to frosts, prefer black earth and sandy substrates with limestone and chalk.
Attention deserve varieties:
- "Paletta" (different variety of color palette);
- "Big Gem" (large-flowered, very resistant to frost and drought);
- Golden placer (closer to wild specimens).
Nautical
In the wild nature, the inflorescences of this type of alissum (Alyssum maritimum or sea lobularia) are found in white and lilac, and in the ornamental floriculture it is represented by a wide range of different shades.
The plant has a compact compact form up to 20 cm tall and wide, with fleshy hairy leaves of silvery tone and small buds that appear in summer.
Meet also other garden flowers: gaillardia, peony, mimulyus, kupena, zinnia, swimsuit, gazania, hazel grouse.
In regions with a warm climate, culture has been developing for many years, staying in constant bloom. This happens in the Pyrenees, in its homeland, and in other places of distribution: in the Canary Islands, the Azov Islands, the shores of the Bay of Biscay. In temperate climates, the species is cultivated as an annual.
Sea Alyssum loves sandy soil, like on native beaches and dunes. It tolerates a lack of moisture. Its name was due to growth on the privileged sea zones.
In the culture of demand varieties:
- "Tiny Tim" (dwarf);
- Easter Bonnet Deep Rose (intensely pink);
- "Violet Konigin" (purple with thick branches);
- "Princess In Perple" (amiss suel).
Pyrenean
The Pyrenean breed (Alyssum pyrenaicum) is characterized by oval thick leaves with dense pile, stems up to 15–20 cm long and small flowers with symmetrical petals that reach 5–8 cm. Four dark anthers rise above them. Buds open in summer. Externally, the species represents perennial cultures resembling a natural marine white Alissum.
Hybrid representatives adore limestone and sandy soil, undemanding to care, can adapt to the penumbra, but this fact is sure to appear on inflorescences. Some varieties stop budding until satisfactory conditions occur.
Most often, the cultivar "Compactum" is cultivated in the flowerbeds, which is distinguished by its neat bush shape, up to 18 cm high.
Did you know? In the over-fertilized soil, the alissum will begin to intensively increase biomass, suspending the budding process.
Creeping
The habitat of this species is the eastern and south-eastern regions of Europe, as well as the western part of Asia. Dry winds, the scorching sun of the steppes and mountains hardened perennial to adverse conditions.
Alyssum creeping (Alyssum repens Baumgartner) is notable for its endurance: it can easily survive the 18-degree frosts and the 40-degree heat.
Externally, it is a razlohy shrub, up to 60 cm high, with a thick pile on sprouts and foliage, bright yellow flowers. Buds appear at the end of spring.
Rocky
When Alissum rocky blooms (Alyssum saxatile), its small bushes acquire a hemispherical shape, generously covered with gold of delicate petals. Especially decorative appearance is different in the autumn, during the yellowing of foliage. Then flowers and fleecy leaves merge into one, creating a small hemisphere with a diameter of 40 cm and a height of about 30 cm.
The old stems of this perennial will become woody over time, and the leaves will not fall off even in winter, keeping an elastic outlet. Flowering begins in spring and lasts no more than 40 days, at the end of August re-budding is possible.
You can meet rocky lobularia on the territory of all European countries, with the exception of Great Britain. Cultivated varieties are very sensitive to the lack of moisture and heat. Popularity enjoy:
- "Citrinum" (yellow with lemon shade);
- "Golden Wave" (flowering begins at 2 years of age);
- "Plenum" (terry).
Important! Alyssum is very sensitive to the cruciferous flea. To expel the pest from the plant will help a solution of 1 liter of water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar, or ash dusting.
The combination and use of alissum in landscape design
Alyssum in landscape design, without exaggeration, is indispensable. Although some people are indignant about the low growth of this plant, but in fact nothing better for the borders in the flower garden can not be found.
Gardeners love to decorate lobularia alleys, cracks between paved slabs and even cracks in stone walls with compact color “baskets”.
The use of bright bushes can be found in rock gardens, mixborders, even on balconies and rabatkah. In addition, this option is infallible, because the flower is adapted to the sun and droughts. Especially it is suitable for fans to lay out various solitaires in rockeries from stones and boulders.
In landscape design they also often use: mountain pine, thuja, cypress, juniper, spruce, acacia, maple, ash, cedar, cypress, jasmine, larch, yew, fir, lilac.
Long flowering alissum designers profitable use in the compositions on the flowerbed. When planting it is important to take into account the height and timing of flowering crops, as well as tonality.
For example, white balloons of alissum among red tulips look spectacular. You can choose combinations of shades to your taste from annuals and perennials. The contrasts of violet (pink, blue) and purple tones are picturesquely combined.
Now that you know everything about alissum, the peculiarities of its species and varieties, like an artist, you will draw your landscape from a floral palette. And let it bloom and smell to the joy of you and others.
