202 · Alyssum Royal Carpet

About this plant

All-America Selections winner. A low-growing hardy annual that makes a dense carpet of bright purple blooms. The flowers are sweetly fragrant and attract bees and butterflies, and they are edible, with a sweet, peppery flavor.

Planting it at home

When to plant out

Right away. Our low-desert planting window for cool-season plants ends about mid-February.

Where

Bed edging, containers, hanging baskets; near vegetables to draw pollinators

Spacing

6-10" (Rohrer Seeds)

Size

4-6" tall (Rohrer Seeds)

Care

Sun

Full or partial sun (from the packet)

Water

Moderate; even moisture until established

Feed

A light flower fertilizer every 3–4 weeks while blooming (general guide).

Deadhead

Cut off spent flowers to keep new blooms coming.

Good to know

Grown from

Seed — sown by FHCG volunteers

Blooms

Spring

Life cycle

Annual

Heirloom or hybrid

Heirloom — saved seeds grow true

Pollinators

High — hoverflies & parasitoid wasps, not just bees

Color

Bright violet-purple (from the packet)

Edible

Yes. Flowers are sweet and honey-like (Kathy, Oct 30).