Splendens Pink Red

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Plumbaginaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

Genus

Armoury

Species

maritima

Description

An evergreen herbaceous perennial with compact growth and an erect habit, it reaches a maximum height of 30 cm, creating dense and thick cushion-like coverings of leaves with thin leaf blades that retain water well, giving the plant good resistance to short periods of drought. The characteristically pom-pom-shaped flowers rise at the top of slender stems from late spring to mid-summer, attracting useful insects such as bees and butterflies. It is highly hardy, ensuring excellent cultivation results when exposed to full sun in light, well-draining soil.

Variety description

It is a small perennial plant, flowering in the May-July period with many small pussy flowers. It is very hardy, suitable in flowerbeds for sunny locations, without requiring much water, indeed it withstands short periods of drought well. It is known because it can absorb heavy metals and is therefore of great help in the regeneration of contaminated soil. In the past, it was also used as a medicinal plant for epilepsy. It needs well-settled and draining soil because it suffers from root asphyxia.

Curiosities and special features

In antiquity, it was used in traditional medicines as a remedy against tuberculosis and epilepsy. It is also a species capable of colonising areas with a high content of heavy metals with retention of these in the leaves and roots, representing an excellent example of plant microevolution in areas modified by man; this property gives armeria an important role in environmental phytoremediation processes.

Origin and distribution

Native to Asia, Europe, North Africa and the west coast of North America, its natural habitat is mainly maritime cliffs and coastal pastures. Various studies have also shown that Armeria maritima grows wild in different European geographical areas, particularly in sites rich in heavy metals, emphasising the plant's tolerance of the latter.

Flower size

The flower is medium small compared to that of other varieties, lending a note of elegance and refinement to the abundant flowering.

Leaf

The leaves, clustered in dense, orderly bushes, have a thin linear lamina.

Flowering period

The scenic flowering lasts from late spring to mid-summer for 60 to 90 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbrella.

Leaf colour

Leaf Solid colour.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 0.3 m, perfect for creating dense canopies enhanced by conspicuous flowering with a final result of high landscaping value.

Lifespan

Perennial plant.

Where to plant

Its lush flowering and resistance to summer heat give it added value for use in flowerbeds

Stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is pon-shaped, medium-small in size, with a tubular corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in medium to small umbel inflorescences. It flowers from late spring to mid-summer, with a flowering period of between 60 and 90 days. It is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Growth

It expresses compact growth, ideal for creating dense cushion-like bedding in flowerbeds.

Plant habit

It has an erect habit, making it also suitable for flower bed compositions with other ornamentals of different heights.

Branching

Theabundant branching gives the plant high ornamental value with excellent foliage and flower density.

PH

The optimal soil pH for armoury is between 5.5 and 7.0.

Soil preparation

For correct preparation of the pre-transplant soil, carry out light digging, removing any weeds and bulky stones, and bury slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser for basic fertilisation. In order to favour correct drainage of excess water, proceed by creating a raised flower bed by lightly ballasting and then add professional quality substrate over the surface to an average height of 5/10 cm, carefully levelling off and preparing the planting holes according to a suitable density.

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Sun exposure

Suitable for full sun exposure.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 12 and 26 °C. The biological temperature is between 6 and 34 °C. It adapts well to hot summer climates and also tolerates short dry periods as the thin leaves retain water, a feature that adds value to the plant in view of the current climate change.

Use

Appreciated by landscape architects, also in ecological project areas, as well as by green enthusiasts at all levels of experience as a plant for use in:

Ornamental Plants for environmental phytoremediation Landscaping

Hardiness

It is of medium to high hardiness; if it is given a suitable exposure in full sun and a soil free of waterlogging, it will show excellent results.

Soil

The ideal bedding soil for armeria is medium-textured or tending to sandy, and well draining; if it is too compact and heavy when preparing for planting, bury sand to improve drainage. For use in pots, a substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite is recommended.

Difficulty

Cultivation is fairly easy, the level of management effort required is overall low.

Growing tips

Here are some cultivation tips for best vegetative growth and flowering performance:

Expose the plant to maximum light Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Combinations with other plants

Ideal for creating dense, homogeneous monochrome cushion-like coverings but also in compositions with other ornamentals such as Acaena, Alyssum, Aubrieta x cultorum, Aubrieta hendersonii, Lobularia maritima, Senecio cineraria; the combinations may involve shades of the same colour tone or combinations of different colours according to carefully composed, uniform and restful patterns, defined on the basis of a number of factors such as personal taste, season and duration of flowering as well as the final height reached by each individual species.

Planting

When transplanting into beds, it is important to arrange the plants according to a suitable spacing in order to ensure proper development of each specimen and thus obtain a proportionate and compact final composition; an average density of 9 plants per square metre is recommended.

Propagation

Propagation can be by sowing, division of heads or by cuttings.

Watering

Plant sensitive to waterlogging, which causes root asphyxia and death. Use rainwater, alternatively from aqueducts or canals, intervening with hand watering or irrigation. When transplanting, assist the seedling to adapt properly to its new site, keeping it at a constant humidity but avoiding excessive water supply with stagnation. Afterwards, keep the soil slightly moist without wetting the aerial part of the plant during the late afternoon/evening to prevent the development of phytopathologies.

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Fertilising

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out basic fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. After proper settlement in the new planting site, apply a balanced fertiliser for ornamental Flower plants to the soil without exceeding the doses and frequencies.

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Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity for pets not known, however avoid administration and consider the specific case.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

Prefer it in well-bedded beds when the soils are well tilled and dry, possibly medium-textured sandy soils because they drain water well. It tolerates a wide pH range, especially upwards (>7). Armeria has a taprooting root system, has thin leaves that retain water well and are therefore suitable for water-saving management.