The stalks are hairy, and its leaves are deeply pinnately lobed, usually 1¼ -7 inches (3-12 cm) long, and tapered at the base; leaf margins are coarsely hairy. This forms a low mound of large, leathery green leaves, bearing upright branching heads of tiny, pale-blue flowers, giving a misty, cloud-like effect. Sea lavender is sometimes difficult to divide. Perennials Image Gallery. Both the inflorescence stalk and the calyx are silky gray pubescent, like the leaves. Once established it is fairly drought-tolerant, but thrives equally well in better conditions. The deep green, leathery, oval to round leaves of these herbaceous perennials grow directly from the base, in mound-like clumps about 18 inches (46 centimeters) tall. Sea lavender is ideal for gardens on dry, sandy soil, and even windy coastal gardens. Genus: Limonium From this grouping of foliage long flower stems develop. Water new plants regularly to establish a deep, healthy root system, but only occasionally once the plant is established, as sea lavender is drought tolerant. It is a small clumping perennial with large deep green lettuce-like leaves; flower stalks can grow to over 2 ft. tall. Time to divide plants: March to April Sea lavender has dark green, leathery, spoon-shaped leaves that grow in a circular pattern at the base of its stem. If you’re interested in growing sea lavender, Limonium plants are readily available online. You can always add more, if needed! Its branches produce small, fragrant, pale purple flowers along one side. Its flowers range in colour from blue through to lilac and pink, and can often be seen densely carpeting the ground from July to October. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. By: Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer. Sea-lavender is a salt-loving plant and thrives is saltmarshes and on the edges of runnels through mudflats in estuaries. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Not only does this type of plant create a pleasant smell where it is planted, but it will also add beautiful shades of purple throughout your garden. Flowering period: Let’s learn about growing sea lavender, including the importance of protecting this beautiful coastal plant. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. Bold rosettes of foliage to 18 inches tall, clumps to 2 feet wide, flower stalks to 2 to 3 feet. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Sea lavender displays red-tinted stems and leathery, spoon-shaped leaves. The flowers are densely arranged in curved clusters on the helicoid cymes. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. Sign up for our newsletter. National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens. Plant sea lavender in full sunlight in most areas. Sea lavender is ideal for gardens on dry, sandy soil, and even windy coastal gardens. in any case, sea lavender is a rare plant, native only to Florida among the 50 states, and only on the east coast, Brevard County south to the Keys. Where prevailing winds drift salt spray towards the shore, Sea-lavender can also be found in grasslands some distance from the shoreline. 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Limonium perezii 'Blue Seas' - sea lavender DESCRIPTION: Canary Islands native, hardy perennial with big oval leathery-fleshy leaves and domed clusters of flowers throughout most of the year.Cut the flowerstems for dry and fresh arrangements; they hold their colour for a long period.USE IN: Front line coastal and seaside gardens; waterwise and outback gardens. Sea lavender may bloom throughout the year, but flowering is most pronounced during fall and winter.The inflorescence is a terminal, helicoid (spirally coiled and one sided), few-branched cyme that extends just beyond the terminal tuft of leaves. However, the plant benefits from afternoon shade in hotter climates. Seed grown. Typically, the plant grows to a maximum height of three feet (one meter), and has jagged leaves that look like dandelion leaves. The leaves are held close to the ground in a basal rosette. Sea lavender is a rosette-forming perennial with mid- to dark-green leaves to 12 inches long, occasionally to 24 inches. Its tiny, spiky flowers come in variety of shades, including white, pink, peach, blue, and violet. Common Name: Sea lavender BBC © 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Delicate purple blooms appear in summer. Corollas and calyces are 5-lobed. Sea lavender is a widely popular flowering accent plant due to its striking purple flowers and long springtime flowering season. Even More Uses for Lavender Leaves Also known as marsh rosemary and lavender thrift, sea lavender (Limonium carolinianum), which has nothing to do with lavender, rosemary or thrift, is a perennial plant often found growing wild in salt marshes and along coastal sand dunes. However, a knowledgeable local nursery can advise you about the best limonium varieties for your area. Despite its name, it is not actually related to the lavender plant. Don’t attempt to remove plants from the wild because sea lavender is protected by federal, local or state laws in many areas. Divide sea lavender every two to three years in early spring, but dig deeply to prevent damage to the long roots. 6. Many species flourish in saline soils, and are therefore common near coasts and in salt marshes, and also on saline, gypsum and alkaline soils in continental interiors. Sea lavender flowers originate from basal leaves that rise up directly from the plant's roots. Exposure: Full sun For drying, they should be cut just before they are fully open. What is sea lavender? This plant will take all the heat and drought that our southern summers can dish out. Useful in a sunny herbaceous border and for naturalizing. There are five spreading-to-reflexed white petal lobes. Deep lavender-blue flowers are borne in panicles made of spikelets on wiry stems. The large flower heads are … Also known as marsh rosemary and lavender thrift, sea lavender is a perennial coastal plant that can often be found growing in both salt marshes and along coastal sand dunes. Hardiness: Hardy Soil type: Well-drained/light, Dry, Moist, Sandy Flowers typically bloom during the summer months. Sea lavender, Argusia gnaphalodes, is also known as sea rosemary.To our eyes, the leaves look more like sage. There are no leaves on the flower’s tall branching stems. Limonium latifolium (sea lavender) is a member of the Plumbaginaceae family. Growing sea lavender is possible in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. The plant creates leathery, spoon-shaped leaves, red-tinted stems, and delicate purple blooms that appear in summer. Species: platyphyllum Th… Sea lavender flowers throughout the summer, reaching peak flowering around August and September. The flowers dry out gradually on the plants and, though faded, persist into late summer. In mid-summer, wiry stems support frothy masses of tiny pale pink or lavender flowers, like gypsophila but stiffer. This very salt tolerant perennial, makes an excellent plant for borders, rock gardens and gardens in sea coast areas. I find the flavor of the leaves to be a bit more mild than the flowers but I am sure it depends on the variety. Individual flowers are less than ¼ inches wide and tall. Spread: 45cm SEA LAVENDER: Limonium perezii: Member $6.95 Non-Member $8.95. Tm many leaves are arranged in a spiral at the base of the plant. Try finely chopping the smaller leaves and sprinkling over potato dishes, or include in marinades, herbal spice blends, or vinaigrettes. What is sea lavender? Sea Lavender Tournefortia gnaphalodes Beautiful blue masses of sea lavender are found naturally along the coast from Key West to Brevard County. Stores will close at 4 p.m. Dec. 24 so our associates can celebrate the holidays and prepare for the Semi-Annual Sale. Feel free to remove dead leaves to make room for new growth in spring. Leaves are semi-succulent and linear to spatulate with entire margins. Sea lavender, any of about 300 species of chiefly perennial herbaceous plants that make up the genus Limonium of the family Plumbaginaceae, especially L. vulgare. Sometimes known as Limonium latifolium. The rotting leaves release these […] You can use Lavender leaves for some of the same things you would use the Lavender flowers for such as in Lavender sachets. Delicate purple blooms appear in summer. It is easily recognized by its dense cloud-like sprays of minute lavender-blue flowers. Sea lavender’s interesting inflorescence is a terminal, helicoid cyme, meaning its flowers are born along one side of a curved or coiled spike. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Flowers may be white, pink or lavender, with a greenish, yellowish or pinkish throat. Sea lavender plants are susceptible to mold and fungal damage. Growing up to 2.5 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide, L. latifolium grows best in full sun and when planted in well-drained, slightly sandy soil. Lavender certainly. California sea lavender is an herbaceous perennial with a basal rosette of leaves and a reddish woody base. This is normal and isn’t cause for concern. Add them inside sachets where you will not see the filling such as Lavender eye pillows or in other aromatherapy products like potpourris. Lavender is a lovely plant that is a fairly common choice for most gardens. Sea lavender tolerates average, well-drained soil, but thrives in sandy soil. Full sun. Once established it is fairly drought-tolerant, but thrives equally well in better conditions. Read more. Skill Level: Beginner Read more. Evergreen perennial. Remember to keep a light hand though, so as not to overpower the dish. In many recipes, lavender leaves can be used in place of fresh rosemary. Description of sea lavender: Large, leathery leaves to 10 inches long form a basal rosette, which, in late July and August, sends up 2-foot stems that branch out into huge clouds of tiny 1/8-inch lavender-blue flowers. The more commonly grown annual statice plants, which are related to sea lavender and may even share its common name, are a good substitute. They are borne on slender and multi-branched stems which rise from a basal rosette of large, broadly spoon-shaped leaves, 6-10 in. Blooming in a cloud, they add a soft haze and airy touch in the garden. Taller plants may require stakes to remain upright. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Sea lavender ease of care: Easy. Cooking with Lavender Leaves. The Sea Lavender plant has a basal rosette of thick leathery leaves that are about one foot long and are pretty durable. Development along coastal areas has destroyed much of the natural habitat, and the plant is further threatened by overharvesting. Garden varieties of this plant are popular with flower arrangers as the flowers can be dried and keep their shape and colour. The largest of the sea lavender species grow to about 3 feet (91 centimeters) tall and 2 feet (61 centimeters) wide. Wavyleaf sea lavender is a short-lived perennial herb that produces several branched flower stalks from a basal rosette of leaves. Above: Sea-lavender, Dorset Coast. … sea lavender: [noun] any of a genus (Limonium) of chiefly perennial herbs of the plumbago family with small flowers and basal leaves. (=Limonium platyphyllum) Sea Lavender is one of the best perennials for using as a cut flower, especially for drying. Bearing small flowers in dense spikes, L. vulgare grows in large tracts that sometimes turn acres lilac-coloured in late summer. How to grow sea lavender: Plants need full sun and a good, well-drained garden soil with plenty of sand for drainage. Also known as marsh rosemary and lavender thrift, sea lavender (Limonium carolinianum), which has nothing to do with lavender, rosemary or thrift, is a perennial plant often found growing wild in salt marshes and along coastal sand dunes. Limonium platyphyllum (Sea Lavender) is a clump-forming perennial boasting attractive sprays of tiny papery light purple flowers in summer. Common sea-lavender grows in muddy, salty pools or saltmarshes along the coast. September. Each plant forms a neat rosette of large, attractive oval leaves almost flat on the ground, and these often turn bronze-red in the sun. Noteworthy CharacteristicsGrows well in salty, windy, and sandy conditions. The untoothed leaves are narrow and long stalked. Lavender works well with many different flavors – cream/ice cream, honey, lemon, orange, rosemary, sugar, vinegar and walnuts to name a few. Sea lavender is a herbaceous perennial with a woody base. July The seed heads remain on the plant throughout winter and are visited by hungry finches. Lets learn about growing sea lavender, including the … Subtle foliage makes sea lavender an unusual perennial. Sea-lavenders normally grow as herbaceous perennial plants, growing 10–70 cm tall from a rhizome; a few (mainly from the Canary Islands) are woody shrubs up to 2 metres tall. Sea Lavender is a member of the Borage family that contains chemicals in its leaves and white flowers that several male butterfly species use to attract their mates. With everlasting papery purple-blue flowers fading to white with age, the Sea Lavender can flower all year. You may be familiar with lavender flowers but the leaves have a ton of flavor too! Leaf blades are thick, leathery, obovate to oblong and four to eight inches (10 – 20 cm) long, with smooth, often wavy margins. Although the blooms are beautiful and highly valued by plant enthusiasts and florists, picking the flower prevents the plant from expanding and forming colonies, and removing the plant by the roots destroys the entire plant. This makes these plants great to tuck in among other perennials as the foliage remains mostly hidden and allows the flowers to stand out. Sea lavender displays red-tinted stems and leathery, spoon-shaped leaves. to Sea lavender turns brown in fall and winter. Rosemary definitely not, but no one consulted us. The name sea lavender (Limonium sinuatum) conjures up clouds of light purple blooms growing in an airy coastal garden, and rightly so. The flowers that bloom until December are small, papery, have one to three petals, and are pale violet or blue-white in color. 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