Royal Carpet Alyssum

Roll out a regal welcome mat for your garden with this vintage favorite. An All-America Selections winner from 1953, 'Sweet Royal Carpet' transforms the border into a lush, low-growing tapestry of rich violet-purple. While it stays petite—reaching only three to six inches high—it spreads quickly to fill gaps in beds, window boxes, and hanging baskets with a profusion of blooms that carry a delightful, honey-like fragrance.

This hardy annual, sometimes affectionately known as Sweet Alice, is a true champion of the cool season. It thrives in the refreshing temperatures of spring and fall, displaying a surprising resilience to light frosts. To keep the show going, give the plants a quick "haircut" by shearing them back halfway after their first heavy bloom; they will reward you with fresh vigor and color. For an uninterrupted display of this fragrant, purple ground cover, try sowing seeds twice a year.