How to Grow Royal Carpet Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is in the mustard family and related to cabbage and broccoli. It is native to the Mediterranean, and the Royal Carpet cultivar is an annual, ground-hugging flowering plant that bears small purple flowers. If you are planning a butterfly garden, Royal Carpet will have them visiting in droves. Sow the Royal Carpet sweet alyssum seeds in a full-sun location in late spring when the weather warms.

Composted manure
Garden fork
Rake
Fertilizer
Scissors or pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Loosen the soil in the planting bed to a depth of 6 inches. Pour 2 to 3 inches of composted manure onto the bed and use a garden fork to blend it into the existing soil. Rake the bed until it's smooth and level.
- 2
  Scatter the Royal Carpet sweet alyssum seeds over the soil and, since they require light to germinate, do not cover them. For a more formal appearance, space the seeds 12 inches apart.
- 3
  Water the bed carefully to avoid washing the seeds away, and keep the soil moist at all times during germination. The seeds sprout within eight to 15 days. After germination, continue to keep the soil evenly moist.
- 4
  Fertilize Royal Carpet in midsummer with a water-soluble all-purpose fertilizer according to the suggestions on the package.
- 5
  Use scissors or pruners to trim the sweet alyssum if it grows out of bounds.

How to Grow Love-in-a-Mist

The Anatomy of a Petunia

Growing Annuals