Top 10 Hanging Plants for a Dreamy Outdoor Nook

6. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) – The Fragrant Spiller

If you’re looking for a plant that’s not only pretty but also smells divine, then Sweet Alyssum is your girl. It’s like a little cloud of tiny, delicate flowers that spills beautifully out of hanging baskets and containers, and it has this wonderful, gentle fragrance. It’s a classic for a reason and one of my favorite fragrant hanging plants.

Tiny Flowers, Big Impact (And Oh, That Scent!)

The first thing you’ll notice about Sweet Alyssum is its masses of tiny flowers. Seriously, there are hundreds of them, all clustered together! They typically come in white, which is classic and looks amazing with everything, but you can also find them in lovely shades of pink or purple. But the real magic of Alyssum, for me, is its scent.

It has this delicate, honey-like scent that is just heavenly. It’s not overpowering at all, just this sweet little whisper of fragrance that catches you when you walk by or when a gentle breeze blows. I remember planting it in a window box once, right outside my kitchen window. Every time I opened the window, I’d get that lovely whiff – it made washing dishes a whole lot nicer, let me tell you!

Finding its Happy Place: Sun, Shade, and Good Drainage

Sweet Alyssum is pretty adaptable when it comes to light. It generally prefers full sun to partial shade. In cooler climates, it’ll be happiest in full sun. However, if you’re in a really hot, sunny area – you know, those places where the sun just beats down in the afternoon – it will definitely appreciate a bit of afternoon shade to keep it from getting too stressed. Well-drained soil is also key, like with most hanging basket plants.

I’ve grown it in spots with blazing sun where it did okay with enough water, but it really seemed to flourish when it got a little break from the harshest rays of the day. It’s a good filler plant for mixed containers too, softening the edges and playing nicely with other, taller plants.

Keeping the Sweetness Going: A Little Trim Helps

One of the great things about Sweet Alyssum is that it’s relatively low maintenance. It just kind of does its thing, blooming its little heart out. However, sometimes, especially around mid-season or if it gets a bit leggy, it can benefit from a light trim. Don’t be scared!

I used to just let it go, and sometimes it would get a bit sparse in the middle. Then a friend told me to give it a “haircut.” I was a bit hesitant, but I took my garden shears and trimmed off about a third of the growth. And you know what? Within a couple of weeks, it bounced back fuller and with even more blooms! It was like it got a new lease on life. So, if your Alyssum starts to look a bit tired, a little snip-snip can work wonders to encourage more blooms.

The Dreamy Factor: Soft, Romantic, and Sensory-Rich

So, what makes Sweet Alyssum a perfect addition to your dreamy outdoor nook? It’s all about the soft, romantic, and sweetly scented touch it brings. It’s not a loud, look-at-me kind of plant. Instead, it adds a gentle, inviting charm that makes your space feel more welcoming and serene.

The fragrance alone adds a whole other layer to the experience of your nook, making it truly sensory-rich. Imagine sitting out on a warm evening, the air filled with that delicate honey scent… it’s just lovely. It’s perfect for creating a space that feels both beautiful and calming, a true garden retreat.

Sweet Alyssum truly is a charmer with its delicate looks and lovely perfume. It’s a wonderful plant for softening edges and adding that sweet touch. Now, if you’re looking for something classic, green, and incredibly versatile that can provide a lush backdrop, our next plant is a timeless favorite. Click the “Next” button below to learn about Plant #7: English Ivy!