About

Alyssum serpyllifolium is a low-growing evergreen perennial that forms a dense mat, reaching a height of up to 6 cm. It features small, silver-grey foliage and produces numerous tiny yellow flowers in the spring.

About the genus

Alyssum includes annuals, evergreen perennials, and sub-shrubs, characterized by their simple foliage. In early summer, they produce short racemes bearing small flowers with four petals, which may be yellow or white.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline, Acid
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Alpine Rockery
Habit
Matforming
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
Up to 10 cm
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal

Care notes

Cultivation
Prefers a sunny, well-drained situation; ideally suited to rock garden conditions, sink troughs, containers, and gravel gardens. See RHS advice profile on rock gardening for more details
Pruning
Cut back lightly after flowering
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cutting or by seed
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free