Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Plant of the Month: Sea Thrift

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

By Sarah Baker, Garden Director

Summer is the time to enjoy our Puget Sound beaches and the native plants that can be found there. Sea thrift (Armeria maritima) is a low growing beach perennial native to the arctic coasts and Europe as well as our own coast. It has several subspecies, and is appreciated in gardens worldwide for its cheerful pink flowers and hardy constitution.

Though typically found on the coast, sea thrift can also grow inland along riverbanks and meadows at low elevations. This adaptable plant is equally comfortable in the home garden. It does great in a sunny, dry spot. Use it to fill in those garden areas with poor soil and little water where less tough plants slowly perish.

Sea thrift reaches about eight inches in height when in flower. These tap-rooted perennials form hummocks as the plant ages. When grown in its preferred conditions, thrift requires little maintenance except occasional division. Remove the spent flowers if desired, or cut them off before they fade for a great addition to dried flower arrangements

The Kruckeberg Botanic Garden is located at 20312 15th Ave NW, Shoreline. For more information call 206-546-1281 or email