Moana Nursery High Desert Plant Finder & Guide
perennial

Vesuvius Sea Thrift

Armeria maritima 'Rubrifolia'

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Vesuvius Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima 'Rubrifolia') at Moana Nursery

Vesuvius Sea Thrift flowers

Vesuvius Sea Thrift flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Vesuvius Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima 'Rubrifolia') at Moana Nursery

Vesuvius Sea Thrift in bloom

Vesuvius Sea Thrift in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  6 inches

Flower Height:  8 inches

Spread:  8 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  2

Other Names:  Sea Pink

Description:

Bright rose-pink, flowers on short stalks. Grasslike, foliage with red tint intensifies in winter and early spring. Evergreen. Remove faded flowers for continuous blooming. Tolerates coastal conditions.

Ornamental Features

Vesuvius Sea Thrift has masses of beautiful balls of rose flowers at the ends of the stems from mid spring to early summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its attractive tiny grassy leaves emerge burgundy in spring, turning dark green in color with curious deep purple undersides the rest of the year.

Landscape Attributes

Vesuvius Sea Thrift is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a mounded form. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Vesuvius Sea Thrift is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Vesuvius Sea Thrift will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity extending to 8 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 8 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Vesuvius Sea Thrift is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Rock  Edging  Garden  Groundcover  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Texture  Plant Form 
Ornamental Features