Hoary Alison Plant Care

Hoary Alison (Berteroa incana) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Berteroa genus. Hoary Alison is native to Eurasia and it has been introduced to western Europe and North America. Hoary Alison is also known as White Alyssum.

Hoary Alison displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Hoary Alison produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Hoary Alison every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Hoary Alison thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Berteroa incana tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Hoary Alison prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hoary Alison to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Hoary Alison every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Hoary Alison is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Hoary Alison can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Hoary Alison while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Hoary Alison is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Hoary Alison can be propagated through seeds.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Hoary Alison is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Hoary Alison grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hoary Alison is native to Eurasia and it has been introduced to western Europe and North America. In cooler regions, grow Hoary Alison as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.