sweet alyssum

American  

noun

1. a garden plant, Lobularia maritima, of the mustard family, having narrow leaves and small, white or violet flowers.

---

sweet alyssum British  

noun

1. a Mediterranean plant, Lobularia maritima, having clusters of small fragrant white or violet flowers, that is widely grown in gardens: family Brassicaceae (crucifers) See also alyssum

---

Etymology

Origin of sweet alyssum

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

“This is infuriating, not to mention peacocks have destroyed my garden and eaten all my azaleas, sweet alyssum and bugambilias.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2023

Some of her plants, like sweet alyssum, grow better next to other plants, like Swiss chard, so she experimented and planted the ones that worked better together.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2022

Consider planting it in a container as a vertical accent alongside smaller cool-tolerant flowers, such as sweet alyssum or nemesia.

From Washington Post • Sep. 20, 2022

Then he bowered his mailbox in flowering vines, shrubs, sun flowers, and a border of sweet alyssum.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mignonette would make a border, or violets and sweet alyssum placed alternately.

From Little Folks (July 1884) A Magazine for the Young by Various