Oriental Night Alyssum Seeds

Oriental Night Alyssum Seeds
Lobularia maritima
Qty: ~300 seeds

Lobularia maritima ‘Oriental Night’ (Sweet Alyssum) is a compact, fragrant annual (often a short‑lived perennial in mild climates) selected for its deep, near‑purple flower clusters. The species is native to the Mediterranean and is valued for low mounding habit, long bloom season, and honey‑scented flowers that add color and fragrance to borders, rock gardens, and containers.

Plant in full sun for best bloom; in hot climates it benefits from afternoon shade. It prefers well‑drained soil from sandy to loamy with average fertility—avoid heavy, waterlogged soils. Moderate moisture during establishment is helpful; once established it tolerates some drought but performs best with regular, light watering.

Seeds need light to germinate, so surface‑sow or press them lightly into a fine, moist seed mix rather than burying. Start indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or direct‑sow after danger of frost; germination typically occurs in 7–14 days at cool to moderate temperatures. No cold stratification is required; succession sowing extends the bloom period.

‘Oriental Night’ typically reaches about 4–10 inches (10–25 cm) tall with a spread of 8–12 inches (20–30 cm); space plants 6–12 inches apart depending on desired coverage. Hardy as an annual across most regions and as a perennial in USDA zones ~8–10, it’s excellent as an edging, groundcover, or container filler. The fragrant blooms make sweet alyssum useful for small posies and borders, attract bees and other pollinators, and press or dry reasonably well for craft use.