Overview

Alyssum desertorum is a matforming alpine rockery in the genus Alyssum, part of the Brassicaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Alyssum desertorum grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1c. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens, bedding and garden edging.

About

Alyssum desertorum is a mat-forming alpine in the Brassicaceae that forms a low, spreading carpet of silver-haired foliage. It produces small yellow flowers from May to September held close to the mat. The plant prefers full sun in free-draining loam or sand and tolerates a wide pH range. It is classed H1c (tender) for UK growing and will need winter protection where frosts are severe.

About the genus

Alyssum is a genus of over a hundred species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region. The genus comprises annual and perennial herbaceous plants or (rarely) small shrubs, growing to 10–100 cm tall, with oblong-oval leaves. Alyssum flowers are characteristically small and grouped in terminal clusters; they are often yellow or white colored but can be pink or purple.

Wikipedia contributors, "Alyssum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Alyssum

In the garden

Alyssum desertorum is a mat-forming alpine in the Brassicaceae, native to parts of Europe, North Africa and Asia. It carries a fine covering of stellate hairs that give the leaves a silvery cast and supports a succession of small yellow flowers through the warmer months. Flowering in the UK runs from May to September. Plant it in full sun on free-draining loam or sandy mixes; the species tolerates acid through alkaline soils but does not like waterlogged conditions. Choose a south-, west- or east-facing aspect and avoid heavy shade. Exposure can be either sheltered or exposed, but its H1c hardiness rating means it should be treated as tender in the UK — provide winter protection or grow in a container that can be moved under cover if necessary. Desert madwort suits rockeries, gravel beds, courtyard planters and the front of borders where a low mat is required. Use it as bedding, edging or in patio containers, and it can be included in coastal or wildlife-friendly schemes. The small yellow flowers appear from May to September and are followed by characteristically notched fruits.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Alyssum

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H1c

Plant details

Alyssum desertorum size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Alpine Rockery

Habit

Matforming

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Bedding, Garden edging

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Alyssum desertorum

Propagation

Sow seed in situ in spring

Pest resistance

Downy mildews, Clubroot, White blister

Disease resistance

Slugs, Flea beetles

Frequently asked questions