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Alpine Rockery

Alyssum serpyllifolium

thyme-leaved alison

A mat-forming evergreen perennial with small silver-grey leaves, growing to a height of 6cm. In spring, a profusion of small yellow flowers are borne

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Ultimate height

Up to 10cm

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Neutral, Alkaline, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Brassicaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Alyssum can be annuals or evergreen perennials or sub-shrubs, with simple leaves and short racemes of small, 4-petalled yellow or white flowers in early summer
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Prefers a sunny, well-drained situation; ideally suited to rock garden conditions, sink troughs, containers, and gravel gardens. See RHS advice profile on rock gardening for more details

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cutting or by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Wildlife gardens
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging
Ground cover
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Cut back lightly after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.