Oriental Alyssum

Oriental Alyssum is a fragrant groundcover that brings delicate, honey-scented blooms to garden beds and borders. Though not native to North America, this hardy annual or short-lived perennial thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates poor, well-drained soils—making it ideal for naturalized landscapes where many plants struggle.

This low-growing spreader provides valuable nectar and pollen for bees and pollinators, supporting local ecosystems while flowering prolifically from spring through frost. In the garden, it softens hardscape edges, fills gaps between pavers, and cascades beautifully from containers. The tiny white, pink, or purple flowers create a colorful carpet of bloom with minimal maintenance.

Historically, Alyssum has been used in traditional herbal medicine and culinary garnish, though it is primarily grown today for ornamental beauty and pollinator appeal. Its sweetly scented flowers make it a favorite for cottage gardens and naturalized plantings where you want reliable color and ecological benefit season after season.