Overview
Armeria maritima is a clump forming, tufted herbaceous perennial in the genus Armeria, part of the Plumbaginaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 5-10 years. Armeria maritima grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. It is drought resistant. Suggested uses include coastal, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, rock garden, low maintenance, banks and slopes, flower borders and beds, garden edging and cut flowers. It is native to Flanders.
About
Armeria maritima, the thrift, sea thrift or sea pink, is a species of flowering plant in the family Plumbaginaceae. It is a compact evergreen perennial which grows in low clumps and sends up long stems that support globes of bright pink flowers. In some cases purple, white or red flowers also occur. It is a popular garden flower and has been distributed worldwide as a garden and cut flower. It grows to around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying evergreen foliage. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Armeria maritima
About the genus
Armeria is a genus of flowering plants. These plants are sometimes known as lady's cushion, thrift, or sea pink. The genus counts over a hundred species, mostly native to the Mediterranean, although Armeria maritima is an exception, being distributed along the coasts of the Northern Hemisphere, including Ireland, parts of the United Kingdom such as Cornwall, and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in Wales.
Wikipedia contributors, "Armeria", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Armeria
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Armeria
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Armeria maritima size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming, Tufted
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Low Maintenance, Banks and slopes, Flower borders and beds, Garden edging, Cut flowers
- Native to
- Flanders
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Armeria maritima
- Cultivation
- Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged conditions
- Pruning
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming; trim foliage in early spring to remove old growth
- Propagation
- Seed, Division, Basal cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Armeria maritima?
Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged conditions.
Where is the best place to plant Armeria maritima?
Armeria maritima prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Armeria maritima need?
Armeria maritima is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
How do I prune Armeria maritima?
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming; trim foliage in early spring to remove old growth.
How big does Armeria maritima grow?
Armeria maritima reaches a height of 0.1-0.5 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 5-10 years to reach full size.
Is Armeria maritima hardy in the UK?
Armeria maritima has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Armeria maritima?
Seed, Division, Basal cuttings.
