Botanical Name: Lobularia maritima ‘Yolo White’ Common Name: Sweet Alyssum Hardiness Zone: Grown as an Annual in Most Climates (Perennial in USDA Zones 9–11) Mature Size: 4–6" Tall × 8–12" Spread Growth Habit: Compact, Dense, Mounding Habit Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade (Best Performance in Cooler Weather) Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Adapts to Average Garden Conditions Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established Bloom Season: Early Spring through Summer (Best Color in Cool to Mild Temperatures) Fertilizer: Light Feeding as Needed Features: Crisp White Blooms, Uniform Growth, Lightly Fragrant, Easy Care Uses: Containers, Edging, Borders, Window Boxes, Cool-Season Color Patent: ❌ Not Patented Propagation: ✔ Allowed

More About Lobularia ‘Yolo White’

Lobularia ‘Yolo White’ is a refined Sweet Alyssum selection that delivers clean, bright white flower clusters on a compact, well-balanced plant. The blooms form a dense, continuous layer of color that fills space quickly without becoming aggressive or unruly. Its soft fragrance and fine texture make it especially effective for brightening borders, containers, and mixed plantings.

As part of the Yolo Series, ‘Yolo White’ was bred for uniform growth, dependable flowering, and broad garden versatility. It offers a slightly fuller, more relaxed habit than ultra-compact series, while still maintaining a tidy appearance that requires minimal trimming. This balance makes it ideal for gardeners who want structure without stiffness.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Yolo White’ has proven to be extremely reliable from early spring through early summer, maintaining consistent bloom coverage and clean form. It fills in quickly, holds its shape well, and continues flowering steadily without stretching or thinning.

We especially appreciate its versatility. ‘Yolo White’ works equally well in tight container designs, mass plantings, and as a living mulch in vegetable gardens, where its fragrance and pollinator appeal add extra value without competing with surrounding plants.

Yolo White vs. Other Sweet Alyssum

Within the Yolo Series, ‘Yolo White’ is the brightest and cleanest option, offering crisp white blooms that highlight surrounding plants. It shares the same mounding, even growth as Yolo Pink and Purple, but its lighter color makes it feel more expansive and airy. While it doesn’t carry the color weight of the darker Yolos, it excels at brightening beds and containers.

Compared to Easy Breezy™ White, ‘Yolo White’ is less aggressive and more compact, making it ideal for detailed designs. Versus Stream™ Compact White, it is slightly fuller and more forgiving if spacing isn’t perfect. As a white alyssum, it’s one of the easiest to integrate anywhere. Gardeners rely on ‘Yolo White’ as a go-to neutral that fills space beautifully without stealing the show.