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Herbaceous PerennialAnnual Biennial

Lobularia maritima 'Easter Bonnet Lavender'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

sweet alyssum 'Easter Bonnet Lavender'

A very compact, low-growing annual or short-lived perennial, 8-10cm high, with narrow, slightly hairy, grey-green leaves, and heads of scented, lavender-coloured flowers in spring and summer

Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cm
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Green Grey Silver
Summer Purple Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Brassicaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

Lobularia can be annuals or perennials, of low spreading habit, with simple leaves and short terminal racemes of 4-petalled, fragrant flowers in summer

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil, in full sun; good for gaps between paving, garden edging, and containers

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown where it is to grow, in late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Garden edging
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

No pruning required, but clipping over after the first flowers may encourage further flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and flea beetles

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews, club root, white blister, foot and root rot, Fusarium wilt, powdery mildews and Sclerotinia diseases

Get involved

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