About

Limonium bellidifolium, the matted sea lavender, is a compact, evergreen, woody-based perennial to 15 cm with rosettes of spoon-shaped, dark-green leaves. Open sprays of tiny, pale-purple flowers with white, papery calyces are produced on wiry, branched stems in early summer. A charming and drought-tolerant sea lavender for a sunny, well-drained rock garden or coastal border.

About the genus

Limonium, the sea lavenders and statices, are annuals, deciduous or evergreen perennials with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and showy panicles of small flowers with long-lasting, coloured, tubular calyces and insignificant, ephemeral petals. Excellent plants for sunny, well-drained coastal gardens and for cutting and drying.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesGravel garden, Patio and container plants, Coastal, Rock garden
Native toEurope to Med.

Care notes

CultivationBest grown in sandy soil but will tolerate any well-drained soil in full sun; needs protection from winter wet so good in a container or alpine house
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in pots outdoors in spring or by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free
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