Limonium gmelinii subsp. hungaricum

The  Limonium gmelinii subsp. hungaricum is a perennial statice endemic to the Carpathian Basin, particularly Hungary, where it flowers in saline steppes on sandy soils. In our gardens, this lovely plant with mauve-blue gypsophila-like appearance thrives in well-drained soil. It forms beautiful, evergreen, rounded and regular rosettes on a woody stump, prefers sandy, porous, well-drained soil and a sunny exposure. Like all statice plants, the flowers last a long time and the flowering stems make remarkable dried bouquets. 

The Limonium gmelinii subsp. hungaricum belongs to the family of plumbaginaceae. This perennial plant forms a small rosette composed of numerous thick, ovate, dark blue-green, glossy leaves that persist throughout winter. From this rosette, branched flowering stems rise between June and August, devoid of leaves, forming a cloud of small, light lilac flowers. The flowering plant stands 40-50 cm (16-20in) above the ground. The very small, papery-textured flowers are grouped in threes, these small bouquets being tightly packed on light corymbs. Their colour is a light lilac-blue. It is a statice that is resistant to dry cold and salty soils.

It is in a rock garden and a scree garden, in the sun, that this beautiful plant thrives the most, where the soil is never too wet. This is especially true in our rainy regions. It is also a good plant for coastal gardens. It will accompany the summer flowering of Anthemis carpatica 'Karpatenschnee', sea thrift,  paronychia and other  rock roses, for example. It will enhance old English roses, or the candle-like flowers of  mulleins. In a border, it can also be combined with toadflaxes or  scabious.