SCIENTIFIC NAME: Armeria maritima

COMMON NAME: Common thrift

FAMILY: Plumbaginaceae

TYPE: perennial

LEAVES: dark green, narrow, 4-8" long linear leaves with one prominent vein running lengthwise

FLOWER: 1" to 1 1/2" diameter flower head consisting of many tiny flowers attached to a central flower; pink (most common), red, lilac, or white

SEASON OF BLOOM: spring for 2-3 weeks

GROWTH HABIT: 12" to 18", mound or tuft habit

SOIL: well drained (will tolerate saline soils)

SUN: full sun (some afternoon shade preferable)

HARDINESS: zone 4-8

UTILIZATION: ideal for rock gardens as a specimen plant; will tolerate salt of coastal planting where other plants may not.

DISEASES: none

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: none

PROPAGATION: seed, division

MAINTENANCE: low