Lobularia maritima
Sweet Alyssum
This Air plant has tiny fragrant flowers and a somewhat airy structure. A native of the Mediterranean, where it grows
along the coast in rocky,
sunny areas, this magick herb has been cultivated so often in the US that
it has become naturalized in most states. The small flowers are
constantly produced and are very sweet, but it is an innocent sweetness
rather than a sexual one. Some compare the scent to warm honey,
others to the smell of new-mown hay. In the language of flowers, this magick
herb stands for sweetness of soul and worth beyond beauty. This plant is also said to be
protective, especially against glamours.
In Herbalism
At one
time this herb had medicinal uses in the treatment of rabies, which is
reflected in both its botanical name (a-lyssum = not enraged) and its
common names, madwort and healbite. This is apparently the source of
the idea that it is helpful in calming anger. In Afghanistan, this plant is
used medicinally for asthma and nervous disorders, and in Spain it is a
diuretic and provider of vitamin C. The edible flowers and leaves
taste like a broccoli leaf (which shows both this plant's membership in the
mustard family and an Airy pungency). In Spain,
leaves and flowers are added to salads to give them a little extra spicyness. However,
some people with very sensitive skin get a rash from handling this
plant. Top
In the Garden
This is a classic cottage garden plant that is good for making borders,
as a ground cover in sunny areas around bulbs and roses, in a Moon
garden, and even in containers. Sweet alyssum is a good groundcover
around vegetable plants because it attracts beneficial insects that eat
aphids and
caterpillars and helps smother weeds, and it breaks up the soil, adding
organic matter. It also looks
great around roses or spring bulbs and resists being eaten by deer. It
reseeds easily but does not
become too invasive because its roots are shallow, so it's easy to pull
up. Top
This
plant is a perennial zones 4-9
(down to -40F/-40C), but most people grow this as an
annual, because it
gets scraggly (even more Airy) its second year. It grows 3-10 in/9-30cm
high, and spreads in a mound 6-10 inches/19-30cm. The flowers appear from
early summer till fall. Some people cut the plant back after the first
flowers, but it seems to just keep churning out flowers as long as it
is happy. I like to put individual transplants in
mulched areas so they can
spread over the mulch and make it look nicer. Planting through mulch
also satisfies this plant's need to have sufficient but not too much
water. Top
This plant is also known as sweet Alice, Seaside lobularia, gum alison, madwort, healbite, sweet Alison,
and Mary's cushion. This variety of sweet alyssum is called Carpet of Snow.
How to Grow Sweet Alyssum
The small seed requires light to germinate, so sprinkle it on moist planting soil and gently press in. Keep in indirect light. Water by gentle misting or bottom water so the seeds are not dislodged. Transplant to sunny areas with rich, light soil and good drainage (no standing water). Sweet alyssum makes a great living mulch because it is shallow-rooted, low, spreading, and attracts beneficial insects. It is perennial in zones 4-9 but usually grown as an annual. General growing info. Top
Lobularia maritima
Sweet Alyssum Carpet of
Snow
300 seeds $3.25
Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:
Elemental Magic (Air)
Maiden Work
Protection
Spells
Air Herb
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