Royal Carpet Sweet Alyssum Seeds

Sow Alyssum Royal Carpet seeds directly outdoors 2–3 weeks before the last frost. The seedlings handle light frost, and cool soil — around 60–65°F (15–18°C) — actually speeds up germination. Don't bury the Alyssum Royal Carpet perennial seeds, only press them onto the surface, as they need light to sprout. Expect germination in 7–14 days. If starting indoors, begin 6–8 weeks before transplant date, and once seedlings hit about 2 inches, thin to 6–8 inches apart. You can sow Alyssum flower Royal Carpet second time in late August. When summer heat drops off, Alyssum Royal Carpet flower rebounds hard, and that late-season flush is often better than the first.

Alyssum Royal Carpet flower requires at least 6 hours of full sun. It tolerates partial shade, and in Zones 8–9 some afternoon shade actually prevents the plant from heat during mid-summer. Soil is not a problem for Alyssum Royal Carpet flowers, as they grow in sandy, poor, or average ground. Still they need loose, well-drained soil with a pH around 6.0–7.0. Water regularly while plants establish, then back off, as Sweet Alyssum flowers are extremely drought-tolerant.

Royal Carpet Sweet Alyssum is a low-maintenance plant. Once rooted in, it mostly takes care of itself. Cut plants back by about a third when flowering slows down in midsummer heat. Then the plant comes back with a full second flush. Royal Carpet Sweet Alyssum self-seeds reliably, so in many gardens it reappears in the spring from seeds dropped last fall. For cutting bouquets, take small clusters when most flowers are open. It is not a flower for a cut garden, so Sweet Alyssum lasts only 5–7 days in water, but the fragrance indoors makes it worth doing.