Common Name: yellowtuft
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Brassicaceae
Native Range: Southeastern Europe
Zone: 6 to 8
Height: 1.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: May to July
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Drought, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Grow in dry, well-drained soil in full sun. Thrives in poor, rocky soils that are very well-drained. Cut back stalks after flowering to retain compactness. Plant in a protected location in the St. Louis area (only reliably winter hardy to Zone 6). May benefit from a winter mulch on the root areas, but not the crowns. Easily propagated from seed.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Alyssum murale is an erect, long-stemmed alyssum which typically grows 1-2' tall. Attractive, grayish green foliage. Loose clusters of tiny, yellow flowers (most in terminal corymbs) cover the plant in late spring.
Genus name comes from the Greek words a meaning not or against and lyssa meaning rage or madness in reference to the plant being used against madness and the bite of mad dogs.
Specific epithet means growing on walls.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Winter wetness at the crowns can cause rot.
Uses
An attractive plant for dry slopes and rock gardens but listed as invasive in Oregon. May have the potential to become an invasive weed in parts of the U.S.