PlantFiles: Sea Thrift, Sea Pink, Common Thrift
Armeria maritima

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 not 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 like 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 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 banks 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 middle 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 4" 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 leaves. 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