Lobularia maritima
| Lobularia maritima | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Lobularia maritima (common name: sweet alyssum)
Propagation: Seed - it can be sown in situ during mid to late spring and should germinate within 2 weeks[1]. Seedlings can be transplanted.
In order to obtain an earlier display of the flowers, the seed can be sown in a greenhouse in late winter. When large enough to handle, the seedlings are pricked out into individual pots and are then planted out in late spring.
Cultivation: Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[1]. Succeeds in sandy soils[2]. Grows well on dry walls[3]. Tolerates maritime conditions[1].
Although a short-lived perennial, it soon loses its compact habit if grown for more than one year and so is usually grown as an annual plant in gardens[4].
A very ornamental plant, there are several named forms developed for their ornamental value. This species usually self-sows in the garden if growing in a good position[3]. A fast-growing plant[2], it makes a good edging to a plant bed[4]. The forms of this species with white flowers have the refreshing scent of new-mown hay - flowers of other colours having little or no scent[4].
A good bee and butterfly plant[5][6].
Range: Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat: Dry sunny places in the Mediterranean[7]. Grows by the coast in Britain[5].
Edibility: The young leaves, stems and flowers are sometimes used as a flavouring in salads and other dishes where pungency is required[8].
Medicinal: The plant is commonly used in Spain as an antiscorbutic and diuretic[9]. It is also highly esteemed there as an astringent in the treatment of gonorrhoea[9].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
In Leaf: Mid Spring-Mid Fall
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Alyssum maritimum. Clypeola maritima.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Carter, David. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan, 1982.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.