Hormathophylla spinosa, formerly Alyssum spinosum, the spiny madwort, is a species of flowering subshrub in the genus Hormathophylla of the family Brassicaceae, native to open rocky sites in south-eastern France and southern Spain. It forms a compact mound up to 30 cm in height. Dense spiny branches of tiny, toothed grey-green leaves bear racemes of white flowers at the tips in early summer.It is especially cultivated in rock gardens. The cultivar H spinosa 'Roseum', with pink flowers, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Spring madwort is resistant to disease and is generally not susceptible to illnesses. Regarding care, the plant is fairly low-maintenance. When grown outdoors it needs only light watering, and larger plants typically do not require pruning; smaller ones should be trimmed after flowering. Spring madwort is suitable for anyone with outdoor space, such as a garden or deck, and does not demand much care experience.
How to keep Ptilotrichum Spinosum.
Light
Spring madwort does best in areas with abundant, direct sunlight, though it can tolerate less brightly lit locations. Excessive sun exposure can cause slight leaf bleaching, while insufficient light leads to stunted growth. Because it comes from sunlit habitats, spring madwort's growth stage is not greatly affected by variations in light levels.
Temperature
Spring madwort shows strong adaptability to a variety of climate conditions, from blazing summers to cold winters. Nevertheless, it has an optimal temperature range for growth. If temperatures become excessively high, the plant is susceptible to stress from heat and humidity, which can cause its death. In areas where temperatures approach the lower limit of its cold tolerance, it is important to implement insulation measures to protect the plant.
Fertilizer
Timing is important for fertilizing Spring madwort. Apply fertilizer in early spring and continue doing so monthly until early summer. Fertilizer promotes attractive blooms and supplies energy during both dormant and actively growing periods.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Shrub
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Ptilotrichum
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 6
- Mature Height
- 15 cm
- Mature Spread
- 30 cm
- Leaf Color
- Gray, Silver
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Flower Color
- White
- Flower Size
- 2.54 cm
- Bloom Time
- Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer
- Harvest Time
- Summer
- Native Area
- Morocco, Spain, Algeria, France
Other names.
