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Not to be missed!

Crithmum maritimum

Crithmum maritimum
Rock Samphire, Camphire, Crestmarine, Peter's Cress, Samphire, Sea Fennel, Sea Samphire

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More information

A plant that is both useful for cooking and medicinal purposes. It belongs to the Apiaceae family and grows on rocky coasts and dunes. The plant takes the form of a small bush with long, fleshy, light-green leaves, and in summer, it produces umbels of yellow flowers that attract pollinating insects. It can withstand moderately cold temperatures down to -10°C and can be grown outdoors in mild regions or pots for winter in colder areas. This plant is perfectly adapted to dry and salty soils, so it prefers a very sunny exposure and poor, rocky or sandy, well-drained soil.
Flower size
4 cm
Height at maturity
40 cm
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -9°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time March, September
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October
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Flowering time June to September
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Description

The Crithmum maritimum, commonly known as Sea fennel or Rock Samphire, is known as Sea Fennel due to its flowering being quite similar to that of fennel, or Stone Breaker, as it often settles in cliffs and between rocks along the coast, directly exposed to sea spray. It is an edible and medicinal perennial plant with long, light green fleshy leaves and a very long flowering period in umbels of yellowish flowers visited by pollinating insects. Sea fennel is ideal for coastal gardens that is left for nature, where its excellent drought resistance will be put to good use. 

The Rock Samphire belongs to the Apiaceae family (formerly Umbelliferae), like wild carrot, fennel, parsley, and celery. It is a widespread native plant along coastlines. It can be found in rocky and dune environments on dry and salty soils. Its cold resistance is quite limited, although it can withstand short frosts of around -10°C (14°F) in the very well-drained soils it prefers.

Crithmum maritimum is a perennial plant that forms small, rounded to spreading bushy clumps. Its vegetation measures about 40 cm (16in) in height and 50 cm (20in) in width. Its stems bear evergreen foliage in winter. The leaves are slightly succulent and filled with juice. They are long and slender, light green in colour, aromatic when crushed, and have an aniseed and iodine flavour. Flowering begins in June in the form of umbels composed of numerous green flower buds. The open flowers are white to yellowish in colour, visited by pollinating insects, and continue to bloom throughout the summer. They then produce achenes containing seeds that can spontaneously reseed themselves between stones or in sandy soils. Leaves, fruits, and roots are traditionally used in herbal medicine.

Rock samphire will thrive in dry stone walls, natural rockeries, gravel beds, and arid slopes... Everywhere, the soil is poor, shallow, and well-drained. It can also be cultivated in pots, in a poor and well-draining growing medium such as cactus soil, with fairly regular watering. In a naturalistic-style border, it connects with other plants without overshadowing them. In a coastal garden, it can be combined with creeping rosemary, Globularia alypum, Convolvulus cneorum, armeria maritima, and other coastal plants. It is one of the few Mediterranean plants that flowers in summer despite the heat and drought!

Crithmum maritimum in pictures

Crithmum maritimum (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flower colour yellow
Flowering time June to September
Inflorescence Umbel
Flower size 4 cm
Fragrance slightly scented
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour light green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Plant habit

Height at maturity 40 cm
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Crithmum

Species

maritimum

Family

Apiaceae

Other common names

Rock Samphire, Camphire, Crestmarine, Peter's Cress, Samphire, Sea Fennel, Sea Samphire

Origin

Mediterranean

Product reference172351

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Available in 2 sizes

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Planting and care

When planting Crithmum maritimum, choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, such as rocky or sandy soil. This plant is perfect for rockeries or dry stone walls and can even be planted by the seaside in the garden border adjacent to the sea. Water the plant regularly during the first few weeks and the first dry summer to help it establish a good root system. Once the roots are established, the plant does not need to be watered, even in the driest coastal regions. Fertilizer is not necessary and is discouraged. In favourable conditions, Crithmum maritimum can withstand short frosts of around -10°C (14°F).

 

For container cultivation, use well-drained cactus soil that is not too rich. Water the plant regularly, but let the soil dry out between each watering. During winter, keep the plant in a very bright unheated room or in a cold greenhouse.

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Planting period

Best planting time March, September
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Rockery
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -9°C (USDA zone 8b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, very well-drained, rather poor

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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