Armeria maritima Vesuvius - Sea Thrift

Armeria maritima 'Vesuvius', also known as thrift or sea pink, is a small evergreen perennial plant with unique bronze foliage that forms a cushion and is adorned with tight clusters of bright pink flowers in spring. It sometimes has a second flowering. Adapted to sandy coastal soils, it can withstand wind, drought, and cold. Easy to grow, its only requirement is to be planted in well-drained soil in full sun.

'Vesuvius' belongs to the Plumbaginaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars of Armeria maritima, native to mountains and coasts of the northern hemisphere, including Europe. This small perennial reaches a height of 25cm (10in) when in bloom, with foliage reaching 10cm (4in) and a spread of 20cm (8in).

Armeria maritima 'Vesuvius' forms a compact and dense clump. The remarkably long flowering period starts in May and lasts until August, with occasional late summer blooms. The flowers are bright pink and clustered in dense round heads on top of long rigid stems. The evergreen foliage, anchored on the ramified base, has a unique colour of bronze-brown and dark green.

Plant 'Vesuvius' in light, even poor, well-drained, slightly chalky, neutral, or slightly acidic soil that is moist to dry in summer. This perennial requires full sun and can withstand strong winds.

Armeria maritima 'Vesuvius' is primarily a sun-loving plant that will fully play its role as a ground cover, in a rock garden or as a border plant. It can be paired with other perennials that have the same growing conditions, such as the classic but unbeatable sweet williams, as well as other small cushions like woolly artemisia, heartleaf globe daisy, creeping baby's breath, narrowleaf everlasting, snow-in-summer, or karvinskian fleabane. It can also be planted in an alpine garden or in pots, containers, and window boxes.