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Sea Thrift Armeria maritima 

 
 
Wildlife GardenWildlife garden plant
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts ButterfliesButterflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts MothsMoths are attracted to this plant
Attracts FliesFlies are attracted to this plant
Attracts BeetlesBeetles are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Funnel-Shaped FlowersFunnel-shaped flowers
Lilac FlowersLilac flowers
5 Petals5 petals
Apr-Oct Flowering
period
Narrow LeavesNarrow leaves
Smooth-Edged LeavesSmooth-edged leaves
Round StemRound stem
Tap RootTap root
20cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Sea Thrift

© 2020-2025 Adrian Briggs

 

Sea Thrift is a native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in coastal rocky areas and saltmarshes, to a mature height of up to 20cm.

Sea Thrift is commonly grown as a rockery plant in gardens, mimicking its natural habitat on growing on coastal rocks and cliffs. Thrift grows in the wild inland and outside its native habitat as a garden 'escape'.

Botanic classification and naming: Sea Thrift is a member of the Leadwort (Plumbaginaceae) family. The genus name 'Armeria' identifies the plant as a Thrift and its species name 'maritima' means 'coastal plant'.

Concerns: Thrift should never be taken from the wild. Removal of a plant from the wild is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).

Benefits: Attracts a wide range of insects.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Sea Thrift

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Sea Thrift usually flowers between April and October.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Lilac

Lilac

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Funnel

Funnel

Petals:

Petal Number =  5

5

Leaf of Sea Thrift

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Narrow

Narrow

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is smooth

smooth

Stem of Sea Thrift

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Round

Round

Root type:

Root Type is Tap

Tap