Alyssum is a genus of plants belonging to the cruciferous family. It includes more than 100 species, among which there are both perennial and annual. Under natural conditions, it is found in the south of Europe and in southern Siberia. For flower lovers, these plants are better known as "borachok".
Alyssum perennial, depending on the species, can grow from 15 to 60 cm in height. The root system of plants is fibrous, compact. Shoots semi-woody, strongly branched. Its leaves are small, oval-elongated, with a slight pubescence, giving them a silvery hue. Numerous flowers with a pleasant aroma, mostly yellow, collected in racemes. The fruit is a pod containing small flat seeds that remain viable for about 3 years.
The beginning and duration of flowering, the color of flowers and the height of a plant such as perennial alissum depend on the species:
- Alyssum mountain forms a creeping bush, not exceeding a height of 20 cm. It blooms with light yellow flowers in May.
- Pyrenean alyssum, white flowerswhich overlaps the green of the leaves, blooms in summer. Plant height up to 25 cm.
- Alyssum sea blooms from early summer until the first frost. Its flowers are purple or white. On the territory of Russia, it is grown as a letnik, since it cannot survive the winter even with good shelter. Forms neat rosettes, reaches a height of 40 cm. Its second name is marine lobularia.
Can be attributed to unpretentious plants alissum. Planting and care (photos in this article show shoots and abundantly flowering bushes) in a sunny area will allow the plant to reveal its full potential. The soil is desirable light, nutritious, with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. Stagnation of water is unacceptable, as the roots are prone to rapid decay. The plant requires regular moderate watering, lack of moisture leads to rapid fading. Feeding with complex fertilizers is enough two per year.
After the first flowering, the plants should be cut back by about 7 cm. By this action, re-blooming is achieved. Before winter, flower stalks should not be removed; in this form, plants will better tolerate frosts. And in the spring, when bringing the flower beds (rock garden, etc.) in order, they need to be cut and the dead leaves removed.
Alyssum perennial reproduces by dividing the bush, cutting off the overgrown parts without complete digging, seeds and cuttings. Transplanting and dividing is best done in early spring, cuttings - in early summer. Seeds can be sown for seedlings in March or May directly into the ground. You can't deepen them too much.because they are light sensitive. When transplanting seedlings into a flower bed, you need to leave about 35 cm between plants, because they grow well. Burachki bloom 1.5 months after seed germination.
Alyssum perennial subject to many diseases: asters jaundice, brown root rot, wilt, true and downy mildew. Of the pests, it can be affected by cabbage moths, cruciferous fleas, caterpillars (turnip and cabbage whites). If problems arise, the plant should be treated with appropriate preparations.
Despite the potential problems, perennial alyssum is a very interesting plant. It is great for rockeries, rock gardens, borders and mixborders, designed to take into account the height and timing of flowering.
