How to Grow Alyssum Wonderland Purple
Wikimedia Commons
Alyssum Wonderland Purple
Lobularia maritima 'Wonderland Purple'
flowerWonderland Purple is a compact, mounding annual alyssum cultivar known for its vibrant purple-magenta flowers and dense, low-growing habit. This variety produces abundant tiny, fragrant blooms that attract pollinators and create colorful garden borders or container displays. It's heat-tolerant and produces flowers continuously from spring through fall with minimal maintenance.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Alyssum Wonderland Purple in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Alyssum Wonderland Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Alyssum Wonderland Purple
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Alyssum Wonderland Purple blooms
Around May 22≈ 35 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Alyssum Wonderland Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-10; grows as an annual in all zones
Sign up free to see if Alyssum Wonderland Purple grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Alyssum Wonderland Purple timeline →Growth Stages
Seed Germination
7-10 daysTiny seeds require light exposure; seedlings emerge within 7-10 days at 70°F
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light immediately after germination. Maintain warm temperatures (65-75°F).
Seedling Development
2-3 weeksSmall green seedlings develop true leaves; plant remains compact and low-growing
Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Water gently to avoid damping off.
Vegetative Growth
2-3 weeksPlant establishes a dense, mounding form with increasingly bushy foliage; no flowers yet
Pinch back growing tips once or twice to encourage fuller branching and more compact shape. Water regularly but let soil dry slightly between waterings. Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
8-12 weeks or moreAbundant small, fragrant purple-magenta flower clusters (umbels) cover the mounding plant continuously
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Water consistently during hot weather. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks. Trim back straggly growth to maintain neat appearance.
Peak Bloom & Decline
Continues until frostMaximum flower production; blooms may reduce slightly during extreme heat, but resume in cooler fall temperatures
Continue deadheading and fertilizing. If plant becomes stressed in peak summer heat, provide afternoon shade. Cut back hard in late summer to rejuvenate and trigger new fall blooms.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; row covers when plants are young
-
Use row covers; insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects; thin overcrowded plantings for better air circulation
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; maintain moderate humidity
-
Yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; improve air circulation
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryAlyssum flowers are mildly sweet with a subtle honey-like flavor and can be used as decorative garnishes for salads, desserts, and beverages. They add visual appeal to culinary presentations and are safe for consumption when grown without pesticides. [source]
Cut Flowers & Arrangements
HouseholdThe delicate fragrant flower clusters make excellent filler for fresh bouquets and dried arrangements. They pair well with larger flowers and add texture and fragrance to any floral design. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeAbundant nectar and pollen attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that are essential for garden pollination. Growing alyssum supports local pollinator populations and biodiversity. [source]
Garden Borders & Edging
HouseholdThe compact, mounding habit makes Wonderland Purple ideal for edging flower beds, walkways, and container displays. It creates a neat, colorful frame for taller plants and softens hardscape edges. [source]
Dried Flowers
CraftFlower clusters dry well and retain their color and fragrance, making them suitable for dried arrangements, potpourri, and craft projects. Harvest at peak bloom and hang-dry in a cool, dark location. [source]
Harvest Tips
Alyssum is grown for continuous flowering rather than harvest. Pinch off spent flower clusters to encourage more blooms. Cut stems for fresh arrangements; flowers last 5-7 days in a vase. Deadheading extends bloom time through fall until the first hard frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Sweet alyssum is sometimes called 'sweet alison' or 'mad wort,' with the latter name stemming from a historical belief that it could cure madness.
- 🌱 The fragrance intensifies on warm days and in the evening, making evening-blooming alyssum gardens particularly aromatic.
- 🌱 Alyssum reseeds readily and can become a self-sustaining flower in gardens year after year, especially in warmer zones.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Alyssum Wonderland Purple planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Alyssum Wonderland Purple seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Alyssum Wonderland Purple timeline →