Overview
Limonium latifolium is a herbaceous perennial in the genus Limonium, part of the Plumbaginaceae family. Limonium latifolium grows best in full sun, and tolerates well-drained and sandy or alkaline soil soils and alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, coastal gardens, rock gardens and cut flowers. It is native to Mediterranean region.
About
Limonium latifolium is a species in the genus Limonium, within the Plumbaginaceae family. It is one of the plants commonly called sea-lavenders or statice and flowers in the UK from June to September. As a member of Limonium it shares the genus tendency to be a herbaceous perennial growing from a rhizome and to tolerate saline or alkaline substrates. Expect a prolonged summer flowering period through the months stated.
About the genus
Limonium is a genus of about 600 flowering plant species. Members are also known as sea-lavender, statice, caspia or marsh-rosemary. Despite their common names, species are not related to the lavenders or to rosemary.
Wikipedia contributors, "Limonium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Limonium
In the garden
Limonium latifolium sits in the genus Limonium, part of the Plumbaginaceae family. The genus has a wide, mostly temperate distribution, with greatest species diversity from the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean eastwards to central Asia. Members of the genus are often known by common names such as sea-lavender, statice or caspia. Plants in this group normally grow as herbaceous perennials from a rhizome and many flourish in saline soils; they are frequently found close to coasts, in salt marshes and on saline, gypsum or alkaline soils. That natural preference guides practical culture: place Limonium latifolium where soils are free-draining and where salt or alkalinity is not excluded, rather than in heavy, waterlogged ground. In UK gardens this species is suited to coastal borders, salt-exposed beds and gravel or alkaline planting schemes where other plants might struggle with salt or lime. It provides a sustained display through summer and will reliably produce flowers in the UK from June to September.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Limonium
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil type
- well-drained, sandy or alkaline soil
- Soil pH
- alkaline
- Soil moisture
- dry to medium
- Aspect
- south-facing
- Exposure
- exposed, coastal
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Limonium latifolium size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- herbaceous perennial
- Suggested uses
- borders, coastal gardens, rock gardens, cut flowers
- Native to
- Mediterranean region
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Limonium latifolium
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained alkaline soils; tolerates saline conditions; avoid waterlogging
- Pruning
- Remove spent flower stems to encourage prolonged flowering
- Propagation
- seed, division
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Limonium latifolium?
Prefers well-drained alkaline soils; tolerates saline conditions; avoid waterlogging.
Where is the best place to plant Limonium latifolium?
Limonium latifolium prefers full sun. It suits exposed and coastal positions.
What soil does Limonium latifolium need?
Limonium latifolium grows best in well-drained and sandy or alkaline soil soil. It prefers alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays dry to medium.
How do I prune Limonium latifolium?
Remove spent flower stems to encourage prolonged flowering.
Is Limonium latifolium hardy in the UK?
Limonium latifolium 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 Limonium latifolium?
Seed, division.
More in the Limonium genus
- Limonium latifolium 'Blue Cloud'Sea Lavender
- Limonium latifolium 'Violetta'Sea Lavender
- Limonium mouretiiSea Lavender
- Limonium x neumaniiSea-Lavender