Culture
Best grown in dry, very well-draining soil in full sun. Foliage mounds tend to rot in the center if grown in moist, fertile soils or in heavy clay. Deadhead to encourage reblooming. Tolerant of heat, salt spray and rocky soils. Hardy in Zones 7-9.
'Dream Weaver' offers improved cold tolerance over the species and is hardy in Zones 6-9.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Armeria pseudarmeria, commonly called thrift, is a herbaceous, perennial, clump-forming, sub-shrub endemic to rocky, coastal slopes, seaside cliffs, and salt marshes in west-central Portugal. Mature clumps will reach up to 8" tall with a 12" spread. The foliage is narrowly lanceolate in shape and slightly keeled, reaching up to 8" long. Globular, 1.5" diameter clusters of small cup-shaped flowers are held above the basal foliage on 10-20" long, upright scapes. The flowers bloom in summer and range in color from white to pink.
Genus name is Latinized from the old French name armoires for a cluster-headed dianthus.
The specific epithet pseudarmeria means "false armeria". In this context armeria refers to dianthus, which the round, dense flower clusters of this species superficially resemble.
In the wild, thrift commonly grow in saline environments along coastal areas where few other plants can grow well, hence the common name.
'Dream Weaver' is a compact selection of thrift that features deep pink flowers. Mature foliage clumps will reach up to 4" tall and spread to fill a 1' area. The flowers are held in 1" wide globular clusters on strong, upright, 6" long scapes. The main bloom period occurs in spring with reblooming throughout the growing season. Deadhead to encourage reblooming. Plant patent number PP30600 applies to this cultivar.
Problems
No major pest or disease problems. Foliage mounds tend to rot in the center if grown in moist, fertile soils or in heavy clay.
Uses
Seaside gardens, rock gardens, alpine gardens, Mediterranean gardens, cottage gardens, mixed border edges.