If you’re looking for a plant that’s as easygoing as it is beautiful, look no further than Alyssum (Steinkraut). This little beauty is a total rockstar in the garden—literally! As long as it gets plenty of sunshine, it’s usually happy as a clam. It’s incredibly drought-tolerant and actually prefers soil that isn’t too rich, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardeners.
Go Easy on the Fertilizer
When it comes to feeding, Alyssum is a “less is more” kind of plant. In fact, fertilizing usually won’t give you more of those iconic yellow blooms. Instead, the plant puts all that extra energy into growing more stems, which can actually get in the way of flower production. However, if you have older plants that are starting to look a little tired or aren’t blooming like they used to, a light feeding can help give them a much-needed boost.
The Secret to Staying Fresh: Fall Pruning
One thing to watch out for with Alyssum is that the base of the stems can become woody over time. When this happens, those spots stay bare and leggy during the growing season. To keep your plants looking lush and full, give them a good trim in the fall. Cutting the shrubs back by about a third helps prevent that woodiness and keeps the plant nice and compact for next year.
Location, Location, Location!
The real secret to success with Alyssum starts the moment you plant it. It’s all about finding that perfect sunny spot. While it can survive in partial shade, you’ll find it rarely produces those gorgeous flowers without full sun. You also want to make sure the soil drains well—if your garden has heavy clay, try mixing in some sand or gravel to loosen things up.
Alyssum absolutely thrives in spots like:
- Stone walls
- Rock steps
- Rock gardens
- Garden bed borders
- Hanging baskets and decorative bowls
