About Thrift Plants
Thrift is a dainty-looking little plant with a rugged nature. Its grass-like, clumping foliage is evergreen in all but the most extreme climates, and it tolerates drought and salt spray. Common thrift (Armeria maritime), sometimes called sea pink or sea thrift, grows up to a foot tall with small pink, white or red flowers rising above the foliage on bare stems in late spring and early summer. Plantain thrift (A. pseudoarmeria) has low-growing foliage like sea pink, but the flower stems are up to 18 inches tall. Other thrift species are rare in cultivation. Although not particularly showy in appearance, thrift thrives in many places where other perennials refuse to grow. Does this Spark an idea?
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Requirements
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Thrift needs well-drained sandy or loamy soil, but the soil does not need to be high in fertility. Choose a sunny location in Northern climates, and provide a location with afternoon shade in hot, Southern climates. The plants prefer moderate moisture but tolerate drought. Thrift may not thrive in the presence of high heat and humidity. Sea thrift is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 through 9, and plantain thrift is suitable for zones 6 to 8.
Care
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Thrift plants require little care and maintenance other than removing faded flowers to encourage new blooms. They don’t require regular fertilization, and they only need watering during prolonged dry spells. When the soil stays moist or the humidity is high, the center of the plant may rot. If this happens, cut the entire plant back to a couple of inches above the ground and let it regrow.
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Propagation
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One reason thrift remains popular despite its diminutive size and lackluster foliage is the ease with which it is propagated. The most common method of propagation is division. Divide the plants in spring or fall, leaving a portion in its current location and transplanting the rest to new locations. It also grows readily from seeds started in fall or winter. In cold climates, start the seeds in a cold frame and transplant young plants to the desired location in spring.
Uses
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Because of its high salt tolerance, thrift is well-suited to seaside gardens. Its low-maintenance requirements and drought tolerance make it ideal for rock and wall gardens and as filler between flagstones. The evergreen, grass-like foliage forms neat, rounded mounds that make a good edging for beds and borders and along walkways. It also makes an attractive ground cover for small, sunny areas.
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References
- The Flower Gardener's Bible; Lewis Hill, et al.
- Better Homes and Gardens Complete Guide to Flower Gardening; Susan A. Roth
- Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials; Ellen Phillips, et al.
- Perennials; Maggie Oster
