Common Name: Turkish alpine thrift
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Plumbaginaceae
Native Range: Turkey
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 0.08 to 0.16 feet
Spread: 0.16 to 0.33 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Description: Pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry
Maintenance: Medium
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Best grown in shallow, dry, gravely, sharply draining soils in full sun. Tolerant of some light shade. Deadhead to encourage reblooming. Propagate through division or seed. Seeds should be sown in a cold frame in fall to ensure proper stratification. Divisions can be made in spring or late summer. Hardy in Zones 4-8.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Armeria trojana, commonly called Turkish alpine thrift, is a herbaceous perennial native to rocky soils and limestone or siliceous rock crevices in Turkey at around 5,000' in elevation. Mature plants have short stems tipped with compact rosettes of foliage forming a low, dense clump that will only reach 1-2" tall with a 2-4" spread. The small, linear leaves are less than 0.25" long and have tiny hairs along their margins. Slender, 0.75-1.25" long scapes (leafless flowering stalks) rise above the clumps in summer bearing rounded clusters of small, funnel-shaped, pink flowers.
Genus name is Latinized from the old French name armoires for a cluster-headed dianthus.
The specific epithet trojana means "of Troy", in reference to the ancient city in modern-day Turkey.
The common name Turkish alpine thrift refers to the native range and preferred habitat of this species.
Problems
No major pest or disease problems of note. Like other alpine plants, the roots and crowns of this plant are sensitive to excess moisture (particularly in winter) and will quickly rot if excellent drainage is not provided.
Uses
Rock gardens, alpine gardens. Well-suited for alpine troughs.