ARMERIA maritima

Thrift, Sea Pink

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Type:

Perennial
Height: 4-6" (10-15cm)
Flowering Time: Summer
Flower Colour: Pink, white
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Botanical Classification:

Class:

Angiospermae (Angiosperms)
Subclass: Dicotyledonae (Dicotyledons)
Superorder: Caryophyllidae (Pinks Superorder)
Order: Plumbaginales (Sea Lavender Order)
Family: Plumbaginaceae (Sea Lavender Family)
Genus: Armeria (Thrift)
Species: maritima (of the sea side)
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Armeria maritima is a neat little plant for edging borders, or growing in a rockery or between paving stones. It forms evergreen tussocks of grassy leaves, and throughout spring and summer produces rounded flower heads composed of hundreds of tiny flowers in pinks or white on stems 3" to 6" high.

Armeria maritima is a British native plant, and can be found covering hillsides and cliffs in the west of England, where it withstands salt-laden winds. In the wild, flowers are usually pale pink, but brighter pinks are available in cultivated plants.

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Harvesting and Growing from Seed:

Seed Pod

There is no seed pod. Each tiny flower on the flower head produces a seed, which is held inside the chaffy bracts.

Seed

The seeds are small pale brown drops. There are many seeds on a seedhead.

Seedling

The seedling has grassy leaves.

Seed sowing and Germination

Winter: Seeds sown outside in winter germinated in 54 days.

(You can check the meaning of any technical terms new to you in the Botany section of the site)

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