Alyssum Seeds - Magic Circle Mix

Alyssum 'Magic Circle Mix' is a vibrant and versatile blend of sweet-smelling flowers that come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, purple, and lavender. This mix adds a stunning array of colors to your garden while providing a delightful fragrance that attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Perfect for filling borders, containers, hanging baskets, or as ground cover, 'Magic Circle Mix' offers a long-lasting bloom period and is easy to grow, making it a favorite among both beginner and experienced gardeners.

Key Benefits

Fragrant Blooms: Offers a sweet, honey-like fragrance that draws in bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
Colorful Mix: Includes a variety of hues such as white, pink, purple, and lavender, creating a cheerful and colorful garden display.
Compact Growth: Low-growing and mounding habit, making it perfect for borders, containers, and hanging baskets.
Long Blooming Period: Flowers from early spring through the first frost, providing extended color and fragrance.
Easy to Grow: Low-maintenance and easy to establish, ideal for beginner gardeners.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Clusters of small, fragrant flowers in a range of colors, including white, pink, purple, and lavender, complemented by dark green foliage.
• Bloom Period: Continuous bloom from early spring until the first frost, providing months of color.
• Growth Habit: Low-growing, spreading plant that forms a dense mat, making it perfect for filling in garden spaces or creating a lush ground cover.
• Size: Grows to about 4–6 inches tall, with a spread of 6–10 inches.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• When to Plant: Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or sow directly outdoors after the last frost.
• Ideal Temperature: Germinates best at 65°F–70°F (18°C–21°C).

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/8 inch deep in fertile, well-draining soil.
• Spacing: Space plants 6–8 inches apart to allow for good airflow and healthy growth.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers light, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0.
• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade, blooming best when given at least 4–6 hours of direct sunlight.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging. This plant prefers consistent moisture, especially during dry spells.

Fertilization

• 'Magic Circle Mix' benefits from occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer every 4–6 weeks to promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms.

Pruning

• Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming and to maintain a tidy appearance. Trim back any overgrown stems if necessary to keep the plant compact.

Pest and Disease Control

• Pests: Generally pest-resistant, though aphids and whiteflies can occasionally appear. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil if needed.
• Diseases: Prevent fungal issues like powdery mildew by ensuring good air circulation around the plants and avoiding overcrowding.

Harvesting

• Maturity: Alyssum 'Magic Circle Mix' typically begins flowering 6–8 weeks after sowing.
• Cut Flowers: For fresh cut flowers, harvest early in the morning when blooms are fully open. The flowers will last for several days in a vase.

Storage

• Seed Collection: Allow flowers to dry naturally on the plant, then collect seeds and store them in a cool, dry place for future planting.

Culinary and Practical Uses

• Pollinator-Friendly Gardens: Ideal for attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it a perfect addition to pollinator-friendly garden spaces.
• Ground Cover: A great choice for filling gaps between other plants or as a colorful and fragrant ground cover.
• Container Gardening: Perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers, adding both color and fragrance to small spaces.

Conclusion

Alyssum Seeds – Magic Circle Mix is a charming, colorful, and fragrant variety that will enhance any garden. With its array of vibrant hues, long-lasting bloom period, and sweet scent, this variety is perfect for adding color and fragrance to borders, containers, and hanging baskets. Easy to grow and maintain, 'Magic Circle Mix' is a wonderful choice for beginner gardeners or anyone looking to add a fragrant, low-maintenance ground cover to their garden.