Alyssum ampelous: growing from seeds

Alyssum ampelous (Alyssum) is a small-growing shrub that adorns the garden on its own and in combination with other flowers, and also harmonizes with decorative conifers and hostas. Alyssum is unpretentious, so it can be grown in most regions of Our Country. The plant propagates by cuttings and dividing the bush, it can also be grown from seeds.

Description of ampelous alyssum

Ampel alissum (it is also called lobularia or beetroot) is a perennial shrub with creeping, rather long shoots. It grows no more than 40 cm in height. Its distinguishing feature is attractive small flowers that abundantly cover the plant. They come in white, yellow, lilac, burgundy and even greenish shades.

Flowering is plentiful, begins in June and lasts all summer. Flowers attract not only with bright colors, but also with a pleasant aroma. After the end of flowering, in September, fruits (pods) begin to form, in which many small seeds ripen. From them you can grow a new bush – both in seedlings and in seedlings.

Varieties of alyssum ampelous

Several varieties of ampelous alyssum are known. Each of them differs in flower color and aroma.

Esther Bonnet

Esther Bonnet (Easter Bonnet) – this variety of ampelous alyssum is used for growing in hanging planters. Gives several shoots of 20-25 cm with flowers in pastel shades – white, yellow, pink and lilac.

Esther Bonnet – an attractive variety of ampelous alyssum with pastel-colored flowers

Princess in Purple

Another variety intended for growing in pots. Gives long shoots with lush flowers of lilac or pale purple hue.

The shoots of this alyssum look like a waterfall of beautiful lilac flowers.

white wave

A hybrid variety of ampelous alyssum (pictured) with a compact bush no more than 25 cm high. The plant looks like a blooming white ball.

White ampelous alyssum is combined with almost all colors

vanilla cloud

Ampelous alyssum variety Vanilla cloud got its name due to the fact that its flowers exude a rich aroma, well felt even at a distance.

Bush of ampelous alyssum Vanilla cloud densely dotted with white flowers

Features of reproduction

For propagation of ampelous alissum, a vegetative or seed method is used. Seed material can be collected independently at the end of September. It is planted both in seedlings and in open ground.

The division of the bush is suitable for perennial ampelous alissums. When the plant is 3-4 years old, it is dug up and the rhizome is divided with a knife so that each division has at least 2-3 healthy shoots. They are planted at the same depth as the mother plant. The procedure is desirable to have time to perform in May.

The cuttings are cut from long shoots, which the ampelous alyssum gives already at the end of spring. These shoots are cut off and planted in a greenhouse – soil from peat and sand (in equal quantities), covered with a film. Provide abundant watering, after which the shoots can be transplanted. The procedure is carried out in early October.

Application in landscape design

Ampel alissum is mainly used in carpet plantings. The bushes are very low, but thick, they completely cover the ground. Therefore, with their help, you can easily hide the unattractive corners of the garden.

There are several options for using alyssum in garden landscape design:

• a floral carpet against a lawn or surrounded by other flowers;
  

  Bush of ampelous alyssum Vanilla cloud densely dotted with white flowers

• the creation of two-level flower beds with the placement of taller flowers in the center;
• mixborders – ampel cultures fill the space well;
• planting along paths – lobularia delimit different areas, so they can be used for garden zoning.

This plant is combined with a variety of flowers – for example, with phlox, lilies, salvia, petunias, garden begonias and others.

Ampel alissum looks good with undersized flowers of a larger diameter

Alyssum ampelous is great for framing a flower garden

Planting and caring for ampelous alissum

Seeds of ampelous alyssum can be sown both in open ground and seedlings can be driven out of them. This plant is unpretentious, so there will be no special problems with its breeding. Seeds are sown in March or April, and seedlings are transferred to open ground in mid-May. Further care for them is very simple – you will need to feed the bushes 2-3 times per season, as well as periodically loosen the soil and sometimes prune.

Deadlines

The timing of planting ampelous alyssum seeds for seedlings depends on the climatic features of the region:

1. In the middle lane, cultivation begins in mid-March.
2. In the Urals, North-West and Siberia – in early March.
3. In the south, seeds can be planted in mid-November directly in open ground. Then they will immediately receive hardening, and additional stratification will no longer be needed.

Growing seedlings of ampelous alyssum from seeds

Despite the fact that alyssum can be grown outdoors, experienced gardeners prefer to plant seedlings. This method gives the best germination and allows you to immediately get rid of barren seeds, which are quite common in alyssum.

For growing, you can use ordinary seedling cassettes or plastic containers. The container should be wide, but shallow, and also have drainage holes. The soil can be purchased at the store (universal for seedlings) or made independently, for example, from the following components:

• garden soil – 1 part;
• peat – 1 part;
• lime or limestone flour – 1 cup;
• fine sand – 1/4 part.

Sequencing:

1. The soil is well loosened so that it is light and airy.
2. Abundantly moisturize.
3. Make grooves 1 cm deep.
4. Pour seeds into them.
5. Cover with soil from above – no need to deepen.
6. The surface is covered with glass or film with holes.
7. Clean in a cool place with a temperature of 10-15 ° C.
8. Illuminate with a lamp up to 12-13 hours a day, periodically ventilate.
9. Seated after the appearance of two leaves.
10. Feed with complex mineral fertilizer (possible after the appearance of the first leaf).

After picking, seedlings of lobularia are grown in plastic cups or other individual containers.

In order for the seedlings of the ampelous alyssum to feel comfortable, it is better to take them out to an insulated balcony or a heated loggia – in this case, a suitable temperature can be provided.

Transplant into the ground

Alyssum seedlings are transplanted into open ground at the end of May (in the south it is possible in the first half of the month). The place is chosen taking into account the following features:

• the site should be well lit – alissum does not tolerate even slight shading;
• the soil is suitable light, moderately fertile;
• too wet and swampy land leads to rotting of the roots. If groundwater is close to the soil surface, the planting holes must be drained with small stones.

Landing technology standard:

1. The site is dug to a shallow depth.
2. Prepare several holes, maintaining a distance between them of 20-30 cm.
3. At the bottom, if necessary, lay drainage.
4. Seedlings are moved along with an earthen clod.
5. Cover with earth and water abundantly.

When transplanting plants, it is necessary to save the earthen room

Aftercare

Caring for ampelous alyssum is very simple. This plant tolerates a long cold snap, sudden changes in temperature and even drought. To achieve abundant and beautiful flowering, at least minimal care should be provided:

1. Alyssum is watered moderately and only if there is no precipitation for more than 7-10 days. Too much moisture is more harmful than too little. Therefore, it is necessary to water at such intervals that the surface of the soil remains slightly moist.
2. Alyssum is fed 2-3 times per season – then the plant quickly increases in size and blooms profusely. For the first time, nitrogen fertilizer is given (urea, ammonium nitrate, and others). It is desirable to do this in mid-April. The second and third times (with an interval of 1 month), the alissum is fed with a complex fertilizer or a mixture of superphosphate and potassium salt. Fertilization is not necessary in the second half of August. In the case of annual varieties, top dressing is given more often – 4 times per season.
3. Pruning of ampelous alyssum is best done in early spring, before active bud swelling begins. To do this, take scissors and remove damaged, dry branches and leaves. A similar procedure is carried out immediately after flowering – you need to remove the flower stalks and cut off all the branches by 5 cm.
4. Another tip – the soil must be periodically loosened. This is especially important to do after fertilizing – then the nutrients will reach the roots faster, and from there they will spread throughout the tissues of the entire plant.

This can be done using straw, sawdust, spruce branches or other improvised materials. A layer of mulch will also allow you to weed the flower bed less often, as it inhibits the growth of weeds.

Even minimal care ensures a lush and long flowering plant.

Diseases and pests

Alyssum ampelous has good disease resistance, but sometimes it suffers from infections caused by a virus or fungi:

• viral mosaic;
• late blight;
• downy or true powdery mildew.

Diseases can be identified by external symptoms. If pale spots appear on the leaves, this is a mosaic developing, a whitish coating indicates powdery mildew, brown spots indicate late blight. At the first stages, it is still possible to cope with them; for this, any fungicide is used:

• Bordeaux liquid;
• “Order”;
• “Fitosporin”;
• “Oxyhom” others.

Also, such pests often parasitize on ampelous alissum:

• caterpillars of various insects;
• cabbage moth;
• cabbage white;
• cruciferous flea.

A solution of vinegar or essence (a tablespoon per 10 liters), an infusion of tobacco, a solution of baking soda, an infusion of onion peel and other means help to cope with them. You can also use any insecticide:

• “Aktara”;
• Carbophos;
• “Proteus”;
• “Ultor” and others.

The solution is diluted according to the instructions, the treatment is carried out in dry, calm weather, preferably late in the evening.

Conclusion

Alyssum ampelous will help to decorate even an inconspicuous garden. This plant is suitable for all flower beds. The small size of the flowers is compensated by their abundance. The flowering of the culture is long, lasts from May to September.