Lobularia maritima 'Carpet Of Snow' (Sweet alyssum 'Carpet Of Snow')

Botanical name

Lobularia maritima 'Carpet Of Snow'

Other names

Sweet alyssum 'Carpet Of Snow', Alyssum maritimum 'Carpet Of Snow'

Genus

Lobularia Lobularia

Variety or Cultivar

'Carpet Of Snow' _ 'Carpet Of Snow' is a compact, mat- or mound-forming, borderline hardy annual or short-lived perennial with linear to narrowly lance-shaped, grey-green leaves and corymbs of tiny, fragrant, white flowers in summer.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Flowers are fragrant.

Habit

Cushion or Mound Forming, Mat Forming

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Colour

Flower

White in Summer; White in Autumn

Foliage

Green in Summer; Green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Flea beetles

Specific diseases

Downy mildew , White blister

General care

Pruning

Trim lightly after flowering to maintain compactness and encourage further flowering.

Propagation

Sow seed in situ in late spring. Tends to self-seed freely in ideal growing conditions.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Lobularia maritima 'Carpet Of Snow' (Sweet alyssum 'Carpet Of Snow') will reach a height of 0.15m and a spread of 0.15m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Between paving stones, City, Coastal, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Edging, Rock

Cultivation

Plant in moderately fertile, well-drained, sandy loam in full sun.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Lobularia maritima 'Carpet Of Snow' (Sweet alyssum 'Carpet Of Snow')

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci non-European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Non-European populations of Bemisia tabaci pose an additional risk to European populations due to the potential for introducing non-European viruses.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Lobularia maritima 'Carpet Of Snow' (Sweet alyssum 'Carpet Of Snow')

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Lobularia maritima 'Carpet Of Snow' (Sweet alyssum 'Carpet Of Snow')

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

The UK has a protected zone in place for this pest which helps to mitigate the risk of entry and establishment. An EFSA opinion is currently being discussed at the EU Annexes Working Group which recommends further strengthening of the regulation.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/