Sea Thrift, Thrift seapink, California seapink, Interior seapink, Siberian sea thrift
Armeria maritima

Family: Plumbaginaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Pink, Purple, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Armeria maritima is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 0.1

Where it is found

Coastal salt marshes, pastures and maritime cliffs. Dry, sandy, somewhat acidic soils in sandy turf, coastal salt marshes, cliffs and mountain pastures.

W. Europe, including Britain, from Iceland to N. Spain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - cooked. Used for slimming. Root. No more details are given.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 1

Sea thrift is rarely used in herbal medicine, though the dried flowering plant is antibiotic and has been used in the treatment of obesity, some nervous disorders and urinary infections. It cannot be used externally as an antibiotic poultice because it can cause dermatitis or local irritation.

Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other

Rating: 3

A good ground-cover for a sunny position. The cultivar 'Vindictive' has been especially recommended and so has 'Alba'. Plants form a slowly spreading carpet.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Container, Massing, Rock garden, Seashore, Specimen. Succeeds in most soils including clay and poor sands. Prefers a well-drained sandy soil with added leaf mould and a sunny position. Requires an acid soil according to one report whilst others say that it dislikes acid soils. Plants are very wind-tolerant and succeed in maritime gardens. Established plants are drought tolerant. Succeeds when grown at the top of a retaining wall or a cavity wall. The plant tolerates light treading. It forms a slowly expanding clump and makes a good edging plant. A good butterfly plant. The flower is a symbol of sympathy, used at funerals. Special Features: North American native, Suitable for cut flowers.

Propagating it: Seed - pre-soak for 8 hours in warm water and then sow in pots of sandy soil in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place in 2 - 3 weeks at 15°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring or after flowering. Fairly easy, large divisions can be planted out straight into their permanent positions whilst it is probably best to pot up smaller divisions and to grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are rooting well.

Best place to grow: Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-9

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

A. elongata. A. vulgaris. Statice armeria. S. maritima.