Lobularia maritima commonly known as Alyssum is perfect edging plant for borders or to cascade over the edge of walls, pots or planters.
It forms a dense mound of pale green, small leaves that are almost totally obscured by the mass of flowers that can be white, purple or rose - or a mixture.
Reminiscent of froth or surf, they make the perfect contrast to other colourful border plants in spring and summer.
Alyssum will self seed year after year. Makes a good mix with the rich blue of Lobelia. Good as a tub surround to a larger plant - looks like a choirboy's ruff.
Varieties include:
'Cameo Mixture' is, as the name suggests, a mixture of all the finest colours.
'Carpet of Snow' produces a mass of white flowers.
'Rosie O'Day' produces a mass of rose pink flowers.
'Snow Princess' masses of white flowers, tolerant of heat and drought tolerant