I was listening to a science podcast from our national radio station last week, in which local organic winemakers talked about biodiversity in their vineyards. In particular it was about how they use flowering plants around their crops to encourage 'good' insects, and keep away others that are not beneficial. NZ native plants are often used, but one winemaker mentioned the common plant alyssum for its hardiness and quick-flowering properties.
Although it is native to the Mediterranean, alyssum was always growing in borders around my Mum's garden when I was small, and still does. There's a nice little crop of alyssum growing in my garden too, amongst some succulents. I like how it's extremely delicate and fine, but tough.
