Armeria Species, Common Thrift, Sea Pink, Sea Thrift

For several years this plant will grow into an attractive round clump with pretty pink flowers that bloom all summer if deadheaded.
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However, after about four years the center of the plant dies, leaving an ugly brown patch in the center. I've tried digging a plug and planting it in that spot to no avail. Now I dig up and divide a plant after the center dies and re-plant one of the division in the spot I dug out the original. Rather a pain, but it works.

Great little carefree accent in los Angeles CA. I used it with succulents in a rock garden.

I purchased seven Sea Thrift plants from my local nursery in late April because of the pretty pink & white flowers. I planted them in rai...Read Moreling planters on my eighth floor deck in full sun. My home is on the ocean on the Massachusetts shoreline. The air is salty and on the eighth floor there is many a windy day. The Sea Thrift has produced many, many flowers that seem to last forever. First they are pink then turn white and the salt air and wind seem to keep them healthy. My neighbors have complemented me on them. Although I was told not to fertilize, I did and they seem to be producing a lot of new flowers. The planters are well drained and in full sun. I love these low maintenace plants. Highly recommended.

I saw they plant the whole bed with Sea Pink at the Getty Villa in Malibu. I'd like to try the same thing. I ordered a package of 100 see...Read Moreds. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

This is a native to the Pacific NW. Good edging plant, with jolly hot pink balls throughout the summer. Easy to divide, best used in masses.

We planted this late last year, and it is already starting to flower. Plant it where someone will not mistake it for grass while it is n...Read Moreot flowering and pull it out, as the leaves make it look like a clump of thickly-bladed grass. A great low plant for the front of the border in a sunny, dry spot.

This is a very nice compact plant for my border. I am considering locating it alongside some primrose in a second location because I lik...Read Moree it so much. I am also trying to propagate it via seed this year. The USDA site says that this plant is not toxic - I am not sure why there is a discrepancy.

I love this little flower, but I have to guard it when it's not in bloom. It looks so much like grass that it has nearly been weeded out...Read More by other family members. Before it ever bloomed I was pretty unsure myself.

I have read that it is hardy in zones 3-9, but that it needs more shade in hotter climates. Soaking seeds aids germination.

Follow-up: I will have to get another plant, as this was in an area that was a little too moist, and it did not survive the winter. I cannot stress enough, do not over-water.

A California (other states?) native. Foliage has the appearance of a dense, low-growing ornamental grass. I use it successfully on dry ba...Read Morenks and in rock garden conditions. Deer have nibbled at the flowers and the tops of the foliage, but have not completely destroyed the plant.

Cute little plants for edging or rock gardens. Fairly easy from seed, blooming the second year. Good cut flowers.

My sea thrift (probably 'laucheana' with bright pink flowers) is now about 4 years old and will need division early next spring as the mi...Read Moreddle is starting to rot out (much like Artemisia Silver Mound tends to do). Profuse spring and early summer bloomer if kept daily deadheaded. The low, dense, mounded tuft is a great textural accent to a rock garden even after blooming.

Thrift or sea pink is a compact, low-growing plant which forms a dense, mounded tuft of stiff, linear, grass-like, dark green leaves (to ...Read More4" tall). Tufts will spread slowly to 8-12" wide. Tiny, pink to white flowers bloom in mid spring in globular clusters (3/4-1" wide) atop slender, naked stalks rising well above the foliage to 6-10" tall. Sporadic additional flowering may occur throughout the summer. Flower clusters are subtended by purplish, papery bracts. In the wild, thrift or sea pink commonly grows in saline environments along coastal areas where few other plants can grow well, hence the common name.

Armeria maritima is a perennial in zones 3-8. It has round clusters of small flowers held above tufted mounds of narrow, needle-shaped l...Read Moreeaves. They grow from 6 to 12" tall. The flowers bloom from May to June and need full sun and well-drained to sandy soil. The plants will rot if planted in fertile, moist soils.
Extra water is needed during dry spells and mulch of straw or pine needles should be used in winter. They do well in hot, humid areas and are tolerant of seaside locations.
Plants are great for rock gardens, edgings, or massed together.

Cultivars:
'Alba'- dwarf (5"), white
'Bloodstone'- bright red
'Laucheana'- dark green foliage with bright pink flowers