Thrift is a familiar coastal plant and it is found around all of the coasts of Britain. It makes an unusual evergreen perennial for the rock garden. It has spiky, narrow leaves that grow in mounded humps and provide distinctive form and texture, among the numerous loose growing rock plants. It is known by several common names, including thrift, sea thrift and sea pink.

As a seaside perennial, thrift is an excellent choice for maritime gardens. It is fully frost hardy, but may die off if exposed to long periods of wet and cold. With age, the centre of the plant will turn brown and eventually die off. It should then be replaced with new, young plants.

Between April and October, thrift produces a mass of pom-pom flowers on short stalks above the dark green leaves. The colour of the flowers ranges from white through to dark pink. Apart from the removal of dead flower heads, little aftercare or maintenance is required.

Growing Requirements

Position
Armeria Maritima is native to sandy soils but will happily grow in a free-draining clay soil - add plenty of grit to the planting hole. It thrives in full sun and lost be paid by the hot summer sunshine. Moisture is essential to establishment, but excess moisture will lead to rotting and eventual death. When watering in newly planted thrift, avoid wetting the top of the plant by talking the spout of the watering can, under the hum of the foliage.

Size
Thrift will grow to a height of 4in (10cm) and spread about 6in (15cm).

Propagation
Named varieties can be propagated by taking semi-ripe cuttings in summer or early autumn and growing them in sand. Thrift is easy to grow from seed. Sow seed under glass in late spring or outdoors, in June and July.

Family: Plumbaginaceae
Genus: Armeria