Thrift 'In the Red' Armeria maritima 'In the Red'
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ABOUT
'In the Red' is a herbaceous perennial, up to 15cm high, with purple-tinged, evergreen, grass-like leaves and pink flowers in late spring and early summer
About this plant
Names
Family
Plumbaginaceae
Synonyms
Sea Thrift, Sea Pink, Marsh Daisy, Cliff Rose
Common names
Armeria maritima var. californica, Armeria vulgaris var. californica, Statice armeria.
Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
6 inches [15 cm]
Spread
12 inches [30 cm]
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits
- Low Maintenance: Armeria maritima 'In the Red' is a hardy perennial that requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for gardeners seeking an easy-to-maintain plant.
- Drought Tolerant: This plant is well-suited for xeriscaping as it can withstand periods of dryness once established, requiring less water compared to other plants.
- Attracts Pollinators: The vivid flowers of 'In the Red' attract butterflies and bees, helping to promote biodiversity and sustain the health of local ecosystems.
- Coastal Tolerance: It is well adapted to coastal conditions, including saline soils and strong winds, making it an excellent choice for seaside gardens.
- Compact Growth: The neat, mounded growth habit of this plant makes it a good fit for small gardens or as a border plant, where space may be limited.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its deep red to pink flowers and evergreen foliage, 'In the Red' adds a splash of color that enhances the visual appeal of garden landscapes.
- Erosion Control: The plant’s dense growth can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, especially in sloped areas and rock gardens.
- Seasonal Interest: Offering year-round interest with its foliage and seasonal blooms during spring and summer, this plant helps create an attractive garden throughout different seasons.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Armeria maritima 'In the Red', commonly known as Sea thrift, can be used in salt scrubs when dried and finely ground, as it can provide a natural abrasive texture.
- When pressing flowers, Sea thrift can add a unique, deep red color to botanical artwork and pressed flower crafts.
- Sea thrift's dense foliage can be used in model landscapes, such as train sets or architectural models, to mimic shrubs or small trees.
- Dried Sea thrift blooms can be incorporated into potpourri mixes, contributing both color and a light, natural fragrance to the blend.
- The flowers of Sea thrift can be used as a natural dye source for fabrics, offering subtle color variations depending on the mordant used.
- Sea thrift can also be used in photography as a subject or backdrop, with its vivid blooms providing a striking contrast against various backgrounds.
- Sea thrift's globular flower heads can be used as natural ornaments during the holiday season, either fresh or dried, to decorate wreaths and garlands.
- In micro-landscaping for fairy gardens, Sea thrift plants can serve as perfect miniature trees or bushes due to their small size and appealing shape.
- Sea thrift can be used as a living mulch in the garden, its thick mat of foliage can help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.
- The stiff, tufted foliage of Sea thrift can be used creatively in ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, providing both structure and texture to compositions.
Interesting Facts
Feng Shui
The Sea Thrift is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Sea Thrift is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Strength in adversity: Armeria maritima, commonly known as sea thrift, often grows in rocky, coastal areas where few other plants can thrive, symbolizing resilience and the ability to endure challenging conditions.
- Survival: Due to its natural habitat, sea thrift represents the ability to survive with minimal resources and in harsh environments.
- Beauty and simplicity: The small, rounded pink flowers of sea thrift stand for the beauty that exists in simple, unassuming forms.
- Long-lasting affection: Sea thrift is known for its longevity, both as a perennial in the garden and as a cut flower, making it a symbol of lasting love and devotion.
Water
The Sea Thrift 'In the Red' prefers moderate watering, ensuring that the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Water the plant deeply, with about one gallon per week, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Adjust the frequency based on weather conditions; during hot, dry periods, you may need to water more often, and during cool, wet periods, less often. Do not allow the soil to completely dry out, as Sea Thrift appreciates consistent moisture levels. Be cautious of overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
Light
Sea Thrift 'In the Red' thrives in full sun locations where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. The plant can tolerate partial shade, but its flowering might be reduced. Ideally, position it in a spot where it can enjoy the morning sun and some afternoon shade in extremely hot climates to prevent scorching.
Temperature
Sea Thrift 'In the Red' prefers cool to moderate temperatures and can tolerate a range between 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant can survive short periods of colder temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit but it is not suited for extreme heat above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal growing conditions are within the cooler range of its tolerance, avoiding prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures.
Pruning
Sea Thrift 'In the Red' benefits from pruning to remove spent flower stalks and to maintain a tidy appearance. Prune the flower stalks back to the base of the plant after blooming to encourage a second flush of flowers. In late winter or early spring, prune the plant to remove dead or damaged foliage and to shape it, being careful not to cut into the crown. Regularly deadheading will also promote more blooms during the season.
Cleaning
Not needed
Soil
Thrift, also known as sea pink, prefers well-draining sandy or gritty soil with good aeration and moderate fertility to flourish. The ideal soil pH for Thrift is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.5 to 7.0. A soil mix for Thrift could be composed of equal parts sand, loam, and peat with a handful of perlite for improved drainage.
Repotting
Thrift does not need frequent repotting and can often be left undisturbed for several years. It should be repotted only when it has outgrown its current container or the soil has become compacted, which is typically every 3-4 years.
Humidity & Misting
Thrift can tolerate a wide range of humidity levels and generally prefers coastal or seaside conditions which suggests it is comfortable in environments that are not excessively dry. However, it does not require high humidity and will do well in average household conditions.
Suitable locations
Indoor
Grow Thrift by a sunny window in well-draining soil; water moderately.
Outdoor
Plant Thrift in full sun, well-draining soil; tolerates dry to moist conditions.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycle
Armeria maritima 'In the Red', commonly known as Sea Thrift or Sea Pink, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in spring when temperatures are suitable. Upon germination, the seedling develops a small rosette of narrow, dark reddish-green leaves close to the ground, engaging in photosynthesis and establishing a root system. As the plant matures, it produces a clump of evergreen foliage and in late spring to early summer, it sends up sturdy, wiry stems topped with globular clusters of deep pink to reddish flowers. After pollination, typically by bees and other insects attracted to the blooms, the flowers develop into small seed capsules containing numerous seeds that, when mature, are dispersed by wind or other means to initiate new plants. Outside of the flowering period, Sea Thrift remains as a foliage clump, which can persist through mild winters, contributing to its perennial nature. Over time, the clump may spread slowly or be manually divided to propagate new plants that will continue the species’ life cycle.
Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating Sea Thrift 'In the Red' is through division. This is typically done in the spring or early fall. The process involves gently removing the plant from the ground and carefully separating the clumps into smaller pieces, making sure that each new section has a part of the root system attached. It is important to replant the divisions immediately, maintaining the original planting depth and watering them thoroughly to help establish roots. The optimal size for each division is roughly the size of a fist or slightly larger, about 3 to 4 inches (approximately 7.5 to 10 centimeters) in diameter, to ensure that the plant has enough established root structure to support new growth.