Annuals & Biennials

Alyssum
sweet alyssum

Height 3-6 ft ( 7.5-15 cm)
Planting distance 9 in (23 cm)
Flowers early summer to early fall
Any well-drained soil
Full sun
Perennial grown as hardy annual

Although perennial by its native Mediterranean, sweet alyssum (Alyssum maritimum, or correctly Lobularia maritima) is grown elsewhere as an annual. It forms low, dense cushions that help edge beds, fill cracks between paving stones, and add color to rock gardens and containers. From early summer to early fall, sprays of tiny flowers appear in great profusion, in white, pink, lilac, purple, and red. It is an easy annual to grow, tolerating any well-drained garden soil, even poor soil.

Popular species and cultivars
The species itself is rarely grown, but it is represented by readily available cultivars.
'Carpet of Snow' bears clusters of white flowers and reaches 3 in (7.5 cm) high.
'Easter Bonnet' is a mixture of shades of pink, purple, and white on 5 in (12.5 cm) plants.
'Minima' has white flowers, which form a low carpet just 3 in (7.5 cm) high.
'Oriental Night' has deep purple flowers on 4 in (10 cm) high plants.
'Pastel Carpet' reaches up to 5 in (12.5 cm) high and comes in a mixture of shades from white to cream, pink, as well as pale violet.
'Rosie O'Day' has early-flowering, rose-colored blooms and reaches 3-4 in (7.5-10 cm) high.
'Royal Carpet' has scented lilac-purple flowers and reaches 3-4 in (7.5-10 cm) high.
'Snow Crystal' grows to 4 in (10 cm) tall and bears large clusters of pure white flowers on compact plants.
'Trailing Rosy Red' bears pink flowers along its trailing stems. It is good for hanging baskets.
'Wonderland Red' has deep red flowers that last well. It grows 3-4 in (7.5-10 cm) high.

Annuals
and
Biennials