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Summary
Bloom Color: Pink, Purple, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Physical Characteristics
Armeria maritima is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
A. elongata. A. vulgaris. Statice armeria. S. maritima.
Habitats
Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Root
Edible Uses:
Leaves - cooked[177]. Used for slimming[61]. Root[69]. No more details are given[69].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Urinary
Sea thrift is rarely used in herbal medicine, though the dried flowering plant is antibiotic and has been used in the treatment of obesity, some nervous disorders and urinary infections[268]. It cannot be used externally as an antibiotic poultice because it can cause dermatitis or local irritation[268].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
A good ground-cover for a sunny position[200]. The cultivar 'Vindictive' has been especially recommended[188] and so has 'Alba'[190]. Plants form a slowly spreading carpet[208].
Special Uses
Attracts Wildlife Ground cover
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Container, Massing, Rock garden, Seashore, Specimen. Succeeds in most soils including clay and poor sands[200]. Prefers a well-drained sandy soil with added leaf mould and a sunny position[1, 111, 134]. Requires an acid soil according to one report[24] whilst others say that it dislikes acid soils. Plants are very wind-tolerant and succeed in maritime gardens[233]. Established plants are drought tolerant[190]. Succeeds when grown at the top of a retaining wall or a cavity wall[219]. The plant tolerates light treading[200]. It forms a slowly expanding clump and makes a good edging plant[111]. A good butterfly plant[24, 30]. The flower is a symbol of sympathy, used at funerals[66]. Special Features:
North American native, Suitable for cut flowers.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - pre-soak for 8 hours in warm water and then sow in pots of sandy soil in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place in 2 - 3 weeks at 15°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring or after flowering[111]. Fairly easy, large divisions can be planted out straight into their permanent positions whilst it is probably best to pot up smaller divisions and to grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are rooting well.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(Mill.)Willd.
Botanical References
17200
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