Overview
Armeria maritima 'Variegata' is a clump forming alpine rockery in the genus Armeria, part of the Plumbaginaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Armeria maritima 'Variegata' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include coastal, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, rock garden, wildlife gardens, low maintenance, banks and slopes, flower borders and beds and garden edging.
About
Armeria maritima 'Variegata' is a cultivar of the evergreen perennial genus Armeria, known for forming clumps or mats of narrow, strap-like foliage. This alpine rockery plant produces elongated flower stalks topped with compact clusters of small, cup-shaped blooms, offering interest in spring and summer. It thrives in full sun and well-drained, fertile soils of various types and pH levels, making it suitable for exposed or sheltered sites. Hardy to UK zone H5, it is ideal for coastal, rock, gravel, and cottage gardens, as well as patios and containers.
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, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Armeria maritima 'Variegata' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Alpine Rockery
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens, Low Maintenance, Banks and slopes, Flower borders and beds, Garden edging
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Armeria maritima 'Variegata'
- Propagation
- Seed, Division in spring, Basal cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Armeria maritima 'Variegata'?
Armeria maritima 'Variegata' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Armeria maritima 'Variegata' need?
Armeria maritima 'Variegata' 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.
Is Armeria maritima 'Variegata' hardy in the UK?
Armeria maritima 'Variegata' 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 'Variegata'?
Seed, Division in spring, Basal cuttings in summer.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- The Thrifty GardenGood gardens are made of time, not money. How to build one slowly and cheaply — secondhand kit, divisions, cuttings, seed and bare-root plants.
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
