About
Limonium gmelinii is a clump-forming sea lavender to around 45 cm, forming a basal rosette of broad, flat, grey-green leaves and bearing upright, wiry stems about 60 cm tall carrying sprays of small, papery, smoky-blue, long-lasting flowers in summer, which are very attractive to pollinators. A reliable and ornamental sea lavender for a sunny, well-drained 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 typeSand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous, Semi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toC Europe to Siberia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in preferably sandy, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerant of dry, stony soil and maritime locations. Protect from winter wet. Good for cut flowers, fresh and dried
PruningCut down spent flower stems after flowering is finished
PropagationPropagate by seed in early spring or by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to Powdery mildews