Alisso Gold Ball

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Brassicaceae

Order

Brassicales

Genus

Alyssum

Species

saxatile

Description

Ornamental herbaceous perennial up to 15/20 cm high, suitable for creating uniform covers of persistent foliage studded with numerous golden-coloured flowers in dense inflorescences. Its developed habitus allows it to be used for flower beds and rock gardens as well as balconies and terraces. It is also an 'insect friendly' plant whose spring blooms are attractive to insects useful for pollination and the preservation of biodiversity such as bees and butterflies.

Variety description

Evergreen herbaceous perennial with prostrate habit and compact growth, suitable for adding a unique ornamental accent to outdoor spaces such as flowerbeds and rock gardens, where with its spring blossoms it creates dense, brightly coloured canopies in chromatic harmony with its silvery-grey foliage. Also suitable in pots for balconies and terraces. Rustic, it withstands the winter cold and temporary drought.

Curiosities and special features

In relation to the synonym, Aurinia saxatilis, the name of the botanical genus derives from 'aureum' in relation to the golden-yellow colour of the inflorescences, while the specific epithet saxatilis means stony, referring to the plant's natural habitat, often represented by rocky terrain.

Origin and distribution

The native range of this species extends from central Europe to the northern Balkan Peninsula; known and used as a garden plant since the 16th century.

Flower size

The flower individually is small, lending elegance to the lush bloom.

Leaf

The leaves have a lanceolate, linear lamina.

Flowering period

fromearly spring to early summer for a duration of 60 to 90 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence raceme or cluster, borne at the top of the stems.

Leaf colour

Foliage with a homogeneous shade that lends additional ornamental value to the plant.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.13 to 0.15 m, which is ideal for creating dense coverings of foliage and flowers.

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen herb.

Where to plant

Due to its developed habit and luxuriant flowering, it is suitable for adding colour and uniformity to flowerbeds, balconies, borders, rock gardens and terraces.

Stem

A herbaceous plant, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a gamopetalous corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in small to medium-sized raceme or cluster inflorescences. It flowers from early spring to early summer, with a flowering period of between 60 and 90 days. It is sweet-scented, with a delicate aroma. It is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Growth

Compact-growing variety, suitable for creating dense, colourful cushion-like covers during flowering.

Plant habit

It develops in a ground cover habitus with stems tending towards an erect habit, visually reinforced by the inflorescences.

Branching

Theabundant branching allows for visually compact and homogenous results.

PH

It prefers a soil or substrate with a slightly acidic pH value between 6.0 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

Before spring transplanting, carry out light digging and remove any weeds and bulky pebbles; if the soil should be heavy and poorly draining, bury sand evenly.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in bright shade, full sun. Correct brightness is essential for lush flowering and proper vegetative growth.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 12 and 25 °C.

Use

Appreciated, due to its vegetative habitus and the final effect it creates with its flowering, as a herbaceous plant in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

A plant of medium-high hardiness, after proper establishment in the new planting site it will tolerate winter cold and temporary summer drought.

Soil

It adapts to different soil conditions, but prefers loose, sandy, well-draining soil. For use in planters or tubs, a high-quality substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite is recommended.

Difficulty

With the right cultivation care, cultivation is easy, adding further value to the species.

Growing tips

Some useful cultivation measures specific to Alyssum saxatile:

With too little light the plants do not flower Avoid over-watering

Combinations with other plants

Suitable for creating dense, homogeneous monochrome cushion-like coverings, but also in polychrome beds in composition with other ornamentals such as Arabis, Aubrieta, Dianthus, Iberis, Viola cornuta. Combinations may involve shades of the same colour tone or combinations of different colours according to carefully composed, uniform and restful patterns, defined on the basis of a series of factors such as personal taste, season and duration of flowering as well as the final height reached by each individual species.

Planting

For transplanting into beds, an average density of 10 plants per square metre is recommended in order to achieve a balanced final composition allowing each individual specimen to develop optimum growth.

It is also advisable to carefully remove the seedling from its container without damaging the roots, placing it with the collar outside the soil surface without excessively compressing the lump and watering immediately after planting but without causing water stagnation.

Propagation

Propagation can be by seed and cuttings.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively canal or aqueduct water, either manually or by irrigation. When transplanting, assist the seedling to ensure it adapts properly to its new site by keeping it at a constant humidity but without water saturation. Then allow the soil or substrate to dry out slightly between one watering and the next, avoiding both dryness and harmful water stagnation.

It is advisable to apply temperate water directly to the soil or substrate without wetting from above, especially during flowering. During the colder period reduce the water supply.

Fertilising

Three to four weeks after planting, apply a fertiliser suitable for ornamental species to the base of the plant in liquid form to the soil or substrate, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water without exceeding the dose or frequency.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

For luxuriant flowering ensure optimal light. Water with temperate water directly into the soil or substrate preventing waterlogging.