Alyssum is a perennial flowering plant in the Brassica family (Brassicaceae). Its common name is sweet alyssum or sweet alison, also commonly referred to as just alyssum (from the genus Alyssum  in which it was formerly classified). It is used in wine growing as a cover crop. As a low-growing variety that grows 8 to 12 inches tall alyssum can be sown under vine because it poses no interference with the vine canopy. It can be sown in vineyards as perennial, no till cover crop because it lives for several years. The  cost of seed is high, but only a small amount is needed when mixed with other perennial species.

Other names: Lobularia maritima (botanical) (syn. Alyssum maritimum)

Life cycle: perennial. Flowers as early as February in the first year and year round thereafter.

Beneficials: Alyssum provides beneficial insect habitat and flowering diversity. 

Bibliography

Andreas Welte, ‘Organic Vineyard Update, Harvests–Magazine of the Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association in New Zealand Inc., (Winter 2002, Vol 55 No. 2, p.12).