Although its hardy inUSDA growing zones 5 to 9it’s not always perennial.
This is an undemanding plant that performs best and can be grown almost anywhere as an annual.
Sweet alyssum works beautifully as both a ‘filler’ and ‘spiller’ in containers and hanging baskets.
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It can work as aground cover or living mulch.
In climates with winter freezing, sweet alyssum can only be grown outdoors as an annual.
If allowed to reseed, new plants emerge in spring and may flower continuously until killed off by freezing.
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Mature plants can survive frost but are killed off by freezing.
Pruning
Pruningalso extends the bloom period and may encourage a second bloom but timing is important.
Deadheading and thinning throughout the growing season encourages more flowers.
You don’t need to prune plants grown as annuals.
They reseed easily and prolifically to give you a new crop the following spring.
However, allowing flowers to go to seed results in a new healthy crop for the next growing season.
When allowed to reseed, most plants revert to the original white color.
Place it in a cool location with bright light and reduce watering frequency.
Continue to fertilize monthly with awater soluble producthigh in phosphorous such as an NPK 0-10-10.
Allow some flowers to go to seed to generate new plants for the next growing season.
Move pots outdoors when danger of frost has passed.
