Armeria
( arm - MEER - ee - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly referred to as Thrift, or Sea Pink, these joyful plants need full sun and little to moderate water. These perennial plants will attract butterflies to your garden, and form compact tufts of evergreen leaves and flowers in pink, rose, red, or white. Main blooming season is from spring to early summer, but deadheading can elongate the blooming period. Thrift are great plants for edging walkways or borders and for use in rock gardens. They are slow to spread, but will eventually grow to form colonies.
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Armeria Species and Varietals
The genus Armeria is a member of the plant family Plumbaginaceae and includes just under 25 species. The best growing zones for Armeria depend on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Armeria juniperifolia (Armeria caespitosa) This species of Armeria grows best in zones 2b-9 and 14-24. Leaves are needle-shaped, and form low, compact rosettes from which rose-pink or white flowers sprout on 2-inch stems. Native to mountain ranges, this little bloomer is fussy about drainage, preferring gravel around the base instead of soil to ward off root and stem rot, especially in summertime. 'Bevan's Variety' is a choice garden cultivar. |
Armeria maritima (Armeria vulgaris) (Sea Thrift, Common Thrift)
These flowers grow best in zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 13-24, and are native to Europe and North America. Mounds spread up to 1 foot across and white to rose-pink flowers bloom atop 6-10 inch stems. Can flower all year round in mild climates. Varieties are outlined below.
These flowers grow best in zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 13-24, and are native to Europe and North America. Mounds spread up to 1 foot across and white to rose-pink flowers bloom atop 6-10 inch stems. Can flower all year round in mild climates. Varieties are outlined below.
Armeria pungens (Spiny Thrift) This species is considered to be rare, and forms a small shrub about 30 inches tall. These plants grow in coastal locations in sand dunes and beaches. Flowers bloom from May through July. Leaves are pointed (hence the common name Spiny Thrift) and flowers are pink to light pink. |
Armeria welwitschii This perennial evergreen shrub produces flowers in white and light pink (sometimes purple), and blooms from February through May. This species is native to Portugal and enjoys growing in spots on coastlines in sand dunes and beaches. These plants are often cultivated in home gardens in rocky areas. |
Caring for Armeria
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 000 - 000, Armeria
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