Culture
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. Deadhead spend flower stems to encourage additional bloom.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Armeria, commonly called 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.
Genus name is Latinized from the old French name armoires for a cluster-headed dianthus.
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.
‘Nifty Thrifty’ is noted for its variegated foliage (to 3” tall) edged with creamy white.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
A compact plant for border fronts, rock gardens, troughs or wall pockets. May be massed as a ground cover for small areas. Impractical large scale ground cover due to slow spread.