Ballerina Red

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Plumbaginaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

Genus

Armoury

Species

pseudo-armeria

Description

A caespitose evergreen herbaceous perennial, appreciated in outdoor ornamentals for its globular habitus delineated by the basal rosettes of leaves from which the slender stems emerge bearing colourful flower heads at the apex during the spring-summer period. Easy to grow, it is suitable for flowerbeds, borders and rock gardens, even in compositions with other ornamentals, in well-draining soil.

Variety description

Perennial plant for borders, produces flower heads in spring on a long stem, remains evergreen even in winter.

Origin and distribution

The botanical genus Armeria comprises about 50 species, among them A. pseudoarmeria, which is native to west-central Portugal and from which the current varieties cultivated today are derived.

Flower size

The flower individually is small, lending elegance to the flowering.

Leaf

The evergreen leaves, gathered in basal rosettes, have filiform lamina.

Flowering period

It flowers from early spring to summer for 90 to 100 days, bringing colour and vibrancy to flowerbeds and borders, also in mixed compositions with other ornamentals.

Leaf colour

Solid colour.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.15 to 0.2 m, making it suitable both for creating individual homogenous groups and in composition with other ornamentals as a first-rate plant, i.e. at the front of flowerbeds or borders.

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen herb.

Where to plant

The dense foliage coverage, from which the graceful flower heads emerge, makes it suitable for providing a distinctive ornamental accent to flowerbeds, borders

Stem

The herbaceous stem is thin and leafless; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is pom-pom-shaped, small in size and has single-coloured petals. It flowers from early spring to summer, with a flowering period of between 90 and 100 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

A variety with globular growth, suitable for creating dense foliage coverings similar to dense cushions topped by colourful flower heads.

Plant habit

Its globular habitus allows it to be used both in homogeneous compact groups and in composition with other ornamentals of different heights in order to create perspective movements of high landscape value.

Branching

Variety with medium branching.

PH

The ideal soil pH for Armeria is slightly acidic, between 5.8 and 6.0.

Soil preparation

Before spring transplanting, carry out light digging, taking care to remove any weeds that may be present and that may subtract useful light for Armeria development. Finally, add professional quality substrate on the surface for about 5/10 cm, carefully levelling and preparing the planting holes according to a suitable density.

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Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 10 and 20 °C, preferring a cool climate. The vital temperature is between -10 and 30 °C

Use

Variety cultivated as a perennial for use in
Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Variety of medium to high hardiness; tolerant to temporary drought once stabilised in the new planting site.

Soil

Choose a peaty, well-draining soil to ensure proper root development free of rot.

Difficulty

Cultivation of the Armoury is extremely easy with an overall low level of management effort.

Growing tips

For proper vegetative development followed by suitable flowering, consider that the variety

Prefers cool climate Requires abundant but no stagnant watering

Combinations with other plants

Suitable for creating dense, homogeneous monochrome cushion-like coverings, but also in polychromatic flowerbeds in composition with other ornamentals such as Yarrow, Sandstone, Aubrieta and Campanula; 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, the season and duration of flowering as well as the final height reached by each individual species.

Planting

When transplanting into a flower bed, apply an average density of 20 plants per square metre to ensure proper development of each specimen, thus obtaining a proportionate and compact final composition; it is advisable to position the plant without completely sinking the lump, taking care not to damage the roots, also water after planting but avoiding water stagnation.

Propagation

Multiplication can be from seed or by head multiplication.

Watering

Avoid both water excesses and dry spells to prevent leaf yellowing and flower desiccation. 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 free from saturation with stagnation. Thereafter, keep the soil slightly moist, avoiding the plants remaining wet during the evening and night to avoid collar rot.
It is advisable to water directly at the foot of the plant without wetting the aerial part.

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Fertilising

During the spring-summer period, apply a specific liquid balanced fertiliser for ornamental flowering plants to the soil, to be diluted in the irrigation water without exceeding the doses and frequencies.

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Edibility for humans

Non-edible ornamental Species.

Tip

Be careful in cultivation of possible aphid attacks within the vegetation. Always maintain good soil moisture to avoid yellowing or drying out the vegetation.