Clear Crystal Lavender Shades Alyssum

Clear Crystal® Lavender Shades is a tetraploid sweet alyssum selected for vigorous growth and large, fragrant lavender flowers. PanAmerican Seed lists it in the Clear Crystal series, with early-spring, spring and autumn bloom seasons, a mounded habit, and a typical height of 6–10 inches and spread of 12–14 inches ([PanAmerican Seed cultivar profile](https://www.panamseed.com/Products/003505332002869/alyssum-clear-crystal-lavender-shades/)). ## Garden use and season The compact mound works in containers, hanging baskets and in-ground plantings, where its purple flowers make a bright front-of-bed or small-scale accent. The breeder describes Clear Crystal as more vigorous and larger-flowered than Easter Bonnet. It is a cool-season selection, so planting in spring or fall can help avoid the decline in bloom that often accompanies sustained summer heat ([Easter Bonnet series growing information](https://trueleafmarket.com/products/alyssum-easter-bonnet-series-flower-seeds?variant=39677728712)). ## Siting and soil Choose sun and moderately fertile, freely draining soil; the Royal Horticultural Society gives the species similar full-sun and well-drained-soil guidance. Keep plants watered during establishment and dry weather, while avoiding persistently waterlogged soil ([RHS Lobularia maritima profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/124133/lobularia-maritima/details)). ## Breeder and protection PanAmerican Seed markets this cultivar. The company lists Clear Crystal Lavender Shades under U.S. patent 7,915,504; the patent record is titled “Flower pigmentation in tetraploid Lobularia” and records a grant date of March 29, 2011 ([PanAmerican Seed protection list](https://www.panamseed.com//PlantProtection/), [patent record](https://patents.google.com/patent/US7915504B2/en)). ## Maintenance Clip the plant after its first flush if renewed flowering is desired. The RHS recommends this for Lobularia maritima; no routine shaping is otherwise needed.