Alyssum Creeping

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Alyssum creeping (lat. Alyssum repens Baumgartner) - one of the undersized representatives of the genus Alyssum of the family Cruciferous, or Cabbage. The native land of the species is the European countries located in the south and east, as well as the countries of Western Asia (in particular, Israel, Cyprus, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Turkey and others). Typical habitats are mountains and steppes. The species is used by gardeners and flower growers, but not as actively as, for example, sea alyssum or rock alyssum.

Characteristics of culture

Alyssum creeping is represented by perennial herbaceous plants no more than 25-50 cm in height, forming in the process of growth dense spreading bushes with many stems, the lower part of which is crowned with gray-green obovate or spatulate foliage collected in a rosette. Stem foliage is slightly different, it is pubescent, pointed or dull at the tips, has a lanceolate shape. The flowers in the species under consideration are small, rich yellow or golden-yellow in color, collected in elongated multi-flowered racemose inflorescences. The flower petals are notched, ovate. Flowering of alyssum creeping is observed in late spring - early summer.

The species is unpretentious, frost-resistant, resistant to pests and diseases, although in some years it is affected. The culture under consideration does not put forward special requirements for growing conditions, however, it develops in the best way on drained, moderately moist, nutritious, loose and neutral soils. On strongly acidic, heavy, waterlogged and boggy species, just like other representatives of the genus, it feels defective, which manifests itself in the form of stunting, inactive flowering or its absence, and sometimes death.

Alyssum creeping is propagated by seeds (by sowing in open ground or in seedling boxes, but the second method is preferable) and cuttings. The last operation is carried out in late August - early September. For the winter, the plant needs good shelter, if, of course, they promise a cold, snowless winter with temperatures less than -18C. Any natural material can act as a shelter, including spruce branches, fallen dry foliage, etc. The agrotechnics of cultivation of creeping alyssum has similarities with other representatives of the genus, except for sea alyssum, it requires a different approach.

Use in the garden

Alyssums, including the species in question, are especially appreciated among gardeners and florists who are adherents of rocky gardens. After all, alissums, just in handy, are suitable for the formation of such designs. And even more so if we are talking about a creeping specimen, which forms rugs in the process of growth. They, by the way, favorably emphasize the beauty of the rocky garden, both together with small stones and large boulders. It should be noted that creeping alyssum is perfectly combined with other flower and decorative deciduous crops, as well as shrubs. It is also suitable for decorating rockeries, alpine slides, the outskirts of garden paths, lawns and borders.

Alyssum creeping is also suitable for decorating low-growing flower beds, including a flower bed, where they form incredibly attractive patterns, especially if you combine several types and varieties of alyssum at once. They can also be used for mixborders, however, only in the foreground. Combining alissum is as easy as shelling pears. It is better to choose soil and dwarf species that require similar growing conditions. These include obrieta, styloid phlox, gentian, iris, alpine forget-me-not, Carpathian bell, primrose, pinnate clove, sage, stonecrop, stonecrop and cuff. If you combine the plant in question with shrubs, then the combination with cotoneaster, erika and blueberries is most beneficial.