Armeria pseudarmeria Ballerina Lilac - Sea Thrift

The Armeria pseudarmeria 'Ballerina Lilac', also known as Spanish grass or maritime thrift, is a small evergreen perennial plant that forms an elegant cushion of lanceolate leaves from which, from spring and for an extended period, clusters of small mauve flowers emerge, tightly packed like a pompom. When planted in dry rockeries and sunny borders or placed in containers, this adorable little plant provides a flowering display for many weeks.

The Spanish grass 'Ballerina Lilac' belongs to the family of Plumbaginaceae. It is a lovely variety derived from Armeria pseudarmeria, native to mountains and coasts of the northern hemisphere, including Europe (western Portugal). In 2009, the 'Ballerina' series developed by Dutch company Kieft Bloemzaden BV showcased this resilient and unassuming little plant, receiving the 'Fleuroselect Award Winner'. The 'Ballerina' series plants offer larger flowers than the typical variety, sturdier flower stems, and are more prolific and vigorous.

This robust, fast-growing perennial plant reaches 25 cm (10in) in height when in bloom, with foliage reaching 10 cm (4in) and a spread of 30 cm (12in). Armeria pseudarmeria Lilac forms a compact and dense shrub composed of lanceolate basal leaves with a slightly bluish-green colour. The remarkably long flowering period begins in May-June and lasts until August, sometimes showing a late summer rebloom. The flowers are densely packed in round heads atop short, rigid stems. They are a lovely pure mauve-lilac colour with yellow hearts. The evergreen foliage, anchored to the spreading base, takes on a vibrant hue, useful in winter, a blue-green shade. The linear and elongated leaves resemble those of certain grasses.

Armeria maritima 'Ballerina Lilac' is primarily a plant for sunny, dry soil and coastal areas, ideal for ground cover in rockeries or borders. It can be paired with other perennials that require similar growing conditions, such as carnations (Dianthus), classic but unbeatable for this purpose, as well as other small cushions like woolly artemisia (Artemisia lanata), heart-leaved globe daisy (Globularia cordifolia), creeping baby's breath (Gypsophila repens), everlasting (Helichrysum angustifolium), snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum), or Mexican fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus). It can also be planted in an alpine garden or pots, containers, and flower boxes.