Guide to Growing Garden Plants - Limonium Sea Pink

The Limonium genus is very large and contains half hardy annuals, half hardy perennials and hardy perennials that range in height from 20cm to 90cm.

They have a woody nature and either panicle or spiky flowers; often trumpet shaped.

The time of blooming depends upon the Limonium species and varies from the end of spring through to the autumn.

Some of the common names for Limonium include Sea Pink, Sea Lavender and Statice.

Limonium pectinatum by Javiersanp; creative commons.

Limonium by Tom hilton; creative commons.

Quick Limonium Growing Guide and Facts

Common Names: Sea Lavender, Marsh Rosemary, Sea Pink, Tree limonium, Statice.
Life Cycle: Half hardy annual. Hardy perennial, half hardy perennial.
Height: 4 to 28 inches (10 to 70 cm).
Native: Europe, Asia, Australasia, Africa, North America.
Growing Region: Annuals: zones 2 to 10. Perennials: zones 4 to 10.
Flowers: Spring, summer and/or autumn.
Flower Details: Purple, violet, pink. Tiny, often trumpet shaped. Flowers carried on spikes or panicles.
Foliage: Simple. Lobed. Rosettes.
Sow Outside: Cover seed. Annuals: following last frost. Perennials: before last frost. Spacing 8 to 24 inches (20 to 60 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: eight days to three weeks. Temperature 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C). Seven or eight weeks before expected last frost. Transplant outdoors a few weeks after the last frost; temperatures should not drop below 45°F (7°C).
Requirements: Full sunlight. Light soils. Sandy soil. Can survive in dry soils. Provide support if necessary. Yearly feed for perennials. Cut perennials to the ground in autumn. Propagate: divide perennials in spring or autumn.

How to grow Sea Pink

When growing members of Limonium species, annuals should be sown after the last frost of spring, whilst perennials planted before the last frost. Once sown simply cover the seeds. Sea Pink and other Limonium like to grow in sunny areas of the garden that have light sandy and dry soil.

If first planning to start off sea pink and other Limonium indoors then the growing process should start about two months before the last frost of spring is expected. They take around two to three weeks to germinate at 18 to 24 degrees centigrade. Once growing the young plants should be spaced at about 30cm (small Limonium species) to 50cm (larger varieties of Limonium).

Caring for Sea pink (Limonium species) in the garden

Once established Sea pink are easy to look after; they are tolerant of dry soil so only need to be watered in extremely dry conditions. Once the season is over in autumn cut the plants back to the ground. If you require more plants from the perennial varieties of Limonium then divide in spring (autumn flowerers) or autumn (spring flowerers).