Alyssum 'Royal Carpet' Seeds

Lobularia maritima, known affectionately as Sweet Alyssum, is the unsung hero of the cottage border. 'Royal Carpet' is a specially selected variety that stays low and hugs the ground, covering itself in tiny, deep violet-purple flowers that smell divinely of honey.

It creates a neat, tidy mound of colour that looks as though it has been poured into the gaps of your garden. Whether tumbling over the edge of a pot, softening the cracks in a pathway, or lining the front of a vegetable patch, it brings a sweet, old-fashioned charm that is hard to beat.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Royal Carpet'

Consider this an "essential" rather than a "luxury" because it solves so many problems. It suppresses weeds by forming a dense mat, it perfumes the air on warm days, and it is one of the quickest plants to flower from seed.

It is also a superhero for the vegetable garden. The tiny flowers are the perfect shape for small beneficial insects (like hoverflies and parasitic wasps) which help keep aphids under control. Planting a ribbon of Alyssum around your lettuces or roses is a beautiful, natural way to keep pests at bay.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Hardy Annual?

Alyssum is a Hardy Annual. This means it completes its entire life cycle in one year.

You sow the seeds in spring, they grow rapidly, flower their hearts out all summer, and then die back with the first hard frosts. However, Alyssum is incredibly generous—it often drops its own seeds, meaning you might find "volunteer" seedlings popping up in the same spot next spring for free!

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Alyssum is one of the easiest seeds to grow, making it perfect for beginners or gardening with children.

🌱 Germination:
These seeds are tiny. You can start them indoors, but they actually prefer to be sown directly where they are to flower. Simply sprinkle the seeds thinly on the surface of the soil and pat them down. Do not bury them deep. Keep the soil moist, and they will pop up in just a few days.

Where to Sow:
They thrive in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. They are not fussy about soil quality and are actually very happy in dry, sandy, or rocky ground (hence the name "maritima" - from the seaside).

Care While Growing:
Once they start to look a bit "tired" after their first flush of flowers in mid-summer, give them a "haircut" with a pair of shears. This might seem harsh, but it will encourage a fresh wave of purple blooms that will carry on right into autumn.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features, helping you decide if this purple carpet is the right fit for your garden.

My Recommended Garden Companions

Alyssum is the classic "edging" plant. It looks best when used to skirt the "feet" of taller plants. Here are my top pairings:

• 🏵️ French Marigolds: A very traditional cottage pairing. The bright orange of the marigolds pops vividly against the deep purple of 'Royal Carpet'. Both plants are excellent for vegetable garden health.
• 🔵 Lobelia (Trailing or Bush): For pots and baskets, mixing purple Alyssum with blue Lobelia creates a cool, calming, and very lush display that spills over the edges.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow outdoors from April for blooms that last until the first frosts.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)