How to encourage alyssum to continue to bloom?
Question:I have some nice white alyssum plants that I planted for a border around my flower bed. It's the first time I've ever tried planting them. They looked beautiful for the past 4 weeks, but now the blooms are fading fast. Do I need to deadhead them like other flowers? I was told they flowered all summer (I live in the Northeast). How can I encourage them to keep flowering? Thanks!
Answers:
I have much Alyssum in my garden. What I do when it starts to look a bit "dull", I take a pair of scissors and cut the top off!! Two/three weeks later new growth/blooms start appearing!
they should flower all summer and Alyssum does not usually need deadheading (the flowers are so tiny that it's a bit impractical). however, if yours have stopped flowering then by all means remove dead flowers (dead flower clusters). also, keep them well watered and about mid summer give them a feed with an all purpose liquid fertiliser for flowering plants. all annuals and bedding plants should get this sort of feed midway through their season and it will prolong the plant's flowering life.
Exactly what scott-rob said.. I like to feed with water soluble fertilizer like Miracle Gro to give 'em a good little wake-up shot.
Good Luck!
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