Guide to growing garden plants - Armeria (Thrift)

The hardy perennial Armeria is also known by the names Sea Pink and Thrift.

It normally flowers from spring to the middle of summer and is native to alpine meadows.

Description of Thrift - Armeria

Thrift is a dwarf evergreen that has small white or pink flowers. The Armeria plant itself is rosette like in natur, with stems bolting out, which carry the sphere shaped flowers.
Thrift is a very salt tolerant plant and can therefore be grown at seaside locations, and it makes an ideal rockery plant wherever it is grown.

How to grow Thrift - Armeria

If you intend to sow Armeria seeds outdoors, they should be sowed on the surface and lightly covered with soil in the early spring or early autumn. If you prefer to grow seedlings indoor then seeds should be prepared about ten weeks before they are due to be put out (early spring). Seeds should first be imbibed by soaking in warm water for 8 hours, then grown in darkness at 16 to 21 degrees Celsius. The plants would normally have germinated after two to three weeks. When the seedlings are ready for transplanting they should be put out at a space of 15 cm for smaller species and 30 cm for larger types. They should be planted in a well drained, slightly sandy soil with a pH of between 5.5 and 7.5.

Caring for Sea pink and thrift

It is easy to look after 'Sea Pink' / thrift, they require a light watering in dry conditions, and should be deadheaded following flowering to prevent seed setting and the spread of thrift. Ideally Armeria should be lightly mulched for protection in the winter with straw.