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Herbaceous Perennial

Limonium vulgare

common sea lavender

Clump-forming perennial native to coastal areas, about 30cm tall, with basal rosettes of slender, green to grey-green leaves. Papery, lavender-lilac or pinkish-mauve flowers, are produced in sprays, on branched, wiry stems to 45cm tall, over a long period during summer

Other common names
sea thrift
Synonyms
Statice limonium
Statice behen
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Purple Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Plumbaginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous or Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Limonium can be annuals, deciduous or evergreen perennials with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and showy panicles of small flowers with long-lasting coloured tubular calyces and insignificant, ephemeral petals

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained, preferably sandy, soil in full sun. Tolerant of dry stony soils and ideal for coastal or marititime planting and gravel gardens

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Tidy flowered stems after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

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