Phlox subulata, known as creeping phlox or moss phlox, is also frequently called “thrift.” This plant is a true member of the phlox family. Especially popular in the southeastern U.S., it is actually hardy in USDA zones 2 through 9. It is a low growing, creeping perennial that is frequently used for groundcover.
How do you take care of a thrift flower?
Make sure you plant thrift in well-drained soil, because rot can be a problem when it stays too wet. Thrift prefers full sun because it encourages the largest number of flowers and dries out the plant after rain and waterings. Thrift can also tolerate part shade.
How long will thrift bloom?
This dainty little plant, native to central and southern Europe, blooms from late spring to early summer. Over 80 species of sea pink exist and the plant has been known to be used medicinally to treat epilepsy and obesity, as well as used as a sedative.
Where do thrift flowers grow?
Where it grows. Across wild, coastal areas throughout the UK – especially Scotland. As well as rocky cliffs, Thrift can also be commonly found brightening up saltmarshes and other sandy areas.
Is thrift plant edible?
In former times, the sea thrift has also been applied as a medicinal plant for epilepsy. Today, it has no relevance as such anymore. Anyway, the blossoms belong to the edible blossoms and can be used fresh and candied.
Does Armeria spread?
Noteworthy Characteristics. Armeria maritima, 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.
Do you need to deadhead thrift?
Deadheading and Pruning
Sea thrift should be deadheaded to remove spent flowers. This keeps the plants looking good while forcing the plant to produce new flowers. The plants can be sheered back after blooming to force a new flush of blooms later in the season.
How do you prune thrift?
Clip any dead or brown foliage from the thrift plants with bypass pruners in early spring. Wait until spring so the evergreen foliage remains intact throughout winter. Depending on the condition of the foliage, you may simply need to clip the ends of the grass blades or cut them back to the root crown.
When can I transplant thrift?
Transplant thrift plants in early spring or early autumn, spacing small varieties 6 inches apart and larger ones 1 foot apart. They relish full sun exposure and require very well-drained, sandy or gravelly infertile soils with a pH reading between 5.5 and 7.5.
Can you divide thrift?
Sea thrift is fairly easily propagated from seed, generally flowering in the second year. Sow seeds in spring or fall. It can also be propagated vegetatively by division in spring or basal cuttings taken in summer.
Is Armeria winter hardy?
An easy to grow tough and hardy plant that is drought tolerant. Also tolerant of coastal conditions. Foliage: Compact tufts or mats of strap-shaped or linear green leaves. Evergreen.
Can you grow Armeria in pots?
Planting armeria
For specimens purchased in nursery pots, it is preferable to plant your armeria in spring or in fall in a sunny spot. Out of these two seasons, simply avoid high temperatures to plant your sea thrift.
Is sea thrift a fragrant?
A fragrant gem in the late summer garden!
Is sea thrift a perennial?
Sea thrift, Armeria maritima, is typically found growing on cliffs and seashores, but also makes a pretty garden flower. A compact, evergreen perennial, it forms low clumps from which long stems of soft pink blooms emerge in summer.
What is a thrift garden?
Like vacant lot cultivation during the 1890s, the subsistence gardens in American cities during the 1930s were created in response to an economic crisis and intended to help meet residents’ immediate need for food. They were often supported through partnerships between municipal government and community organizations.
Is thrift a herb?
Thrift is an evergreen herb with compact cushions of needle-like leaves and long stems bearing spherical, pink flowers. Its flowers can be purple, white or red.
What is sea thrift used for?
Medicinal Uses
Sea thrift is rarely used in herbal medicine, though the dried flowering plant is antibiotic and has been used in the treatment of obesity, some nervous disorders and urinary infections[268].
Is Armeria poisonous?
This plant has poison characteristics. It causes low toxicity only if eaten.
What does the flower thrift look like?
Thrift grows into one-foot mounds of grass-like foliage topped with rose pink flowers. It loves full sun, but must have regular moisture in the soil.
What is the difference between moss phlox and creeping phlox?
Phlox subulata is sometimes also referred to as creeping phlox but is more specifically known as moss phlox or moss pink. This densely flowering perennial ground cover thrives in full-sun spaces like xeriscapes, south-facing slopes or rock gardens.
What is a campion flower?
campion, (genus Silene), also called catchfly, genus of about 900 species of herbaceous flowering plants of the pink, or carnation, family (Caryophyllaceae). Campions are distributed throughout the world, and several are ornamental rock-garden or border plants.
