<< Previous Plant  |   Next Plant >> Armeria maritima 'Rubrifolia' Seathrift, Common Thrift A low-growing, clump-forming, compact plant featuring small, rosy-pink flowers in tight, globular clusters atop wiry, unbranched, 6-10" stems rising up from a dense, rounded mat of stiff, grass-like, purplish-red leaves, which slowly spread to 12" wide. Good cut flower. Great for rock, wall, and trough gardens, as well as a welcome addition to winter/spring planters. Native to coastal regions in the northern hemisphere, these tough little plants are salt and cold tolerant. Great for rock gardens/troughs Salt tolerant Good cut flower Characteristics & Attributes Exposure Sun Soil Moisture Needs Moist Good Drainage Average Season of Interest (Flowering) Early Spring Growth Rate Slow Season of Interest (Foliage) Fall Late Spring / Early Summer Winter Summer Early Spring Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips Best grown in infertile, dry, well-drained soils in full sun. Foliage mounds tend to rot in the center if grown in moist, fertile soils or in heavy clay. Good drainage is essential. Though A. maritima plants are very low maintenance, voles feeding on the roots can cause plants to decline rapidly if not checked periodically. Interesting Notes This diverse species contains over 20 botanical varieties. Common thrift has pink, mauve-red, lilac, or white flowers, depending on the variety or cultivar. The specific epithet is derived from the species' salt tolerance, and plants may be found growing on coastlines where few others can survive the saline conditions. As the common name implies, it is the most common species of the genus and has undergone extensive selection. ~Allan Armitage

Photo Credit: http://vivacesmerlebleu.com/images/Armeria%20maritima%20Rubrifolia.jpg Additional Images: Great Companions Seathrift, Common Thrift (Armeria maritima 'Alba') Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana') (Sedum 'Album Murale') (Thymus 'Elfin')