Limonium perezii

SEA LAVENDER

Limonium perezii
SEA LAVENDER

Limonium perezii is one of the most popular plants for dry climate and low maintenance landscaping. So well known and used – it barely needs an introduction in Australia.

Billowing heads of fine, lavender everlasting flowers 

Large mounded heads of fine, papery, everlasting type flowers, foam up over all the warm months.
In rich, deep lavender colour, highlighted by little white papery bracts, and close packed in the large heads.
They make a big splash of rich lavender colour, and so colour is the first reason for the common name of Sea Lavender.

Prized by florists as some of the best fresh or dried cut flowers going

Limonium perezii is treasured by florists for providing some of the best cut fresh or dried floristry flowers available.
So it is often farmed as a large scale, commercial cut flower crop.
And flower heads come on strong, clean, straight stems – bliss for a florist.

Exceptionally long lasting in a vase

More bliss for florists – the papery, everlasting style flowers simply last for ages fresh in a vase.
And are super long-lasting when hung upside-down dried.
They retain their colour very well when dried

Invaluable garden plant

But it also makes an invaluable garden plant for home gardeners, where it does double duty providing attractive garden shows as well as armloads of cut flowers.
Attractive grey-green foliage rosettes also contribute to making a fine show in the garden.

Exceptionally long blooming

There are not many plants that can out-bloom Limonium perezii.
It blooms for literally months, as it just keeps popping flower heads in all but the very coldest part of the year.

Use as an evergreen edge or an underplanting in a hot spot

Sea Lavender has evergreen foliage – large, spoon shaped, waxy leaves that sit as a flat rosette against the ground.
So it makes an ideal evergreen front edge, or underplanting amongst taller sun lovers in a hot spot.
As it is always handsome, even when not in flower.

Super hardy & water-wise

Limonium perezii is no trouble to have in the garden.
As it is such a hardy and easy to grow plant.
Tolerating periods of drought; heat; wind; sandy or poor soil; as well as frost; and just about anything neglect you can chuck at it.
Though it does appreciate some lime in spring and autumn, and a well drained, sunny position.

Suits seaside gardens

Sea Lavender is especially well adapted to growing in seaside positions (second reason it is known as Sea Lavender).
The waxy, leathery leaves are resistant to salt spray and salt air, as are the papery bract flowers.
And it loves sandy soil, but it will sulk and moulder away if planted in heavy or wet soil.

Trouble free – easy to grow – low maintenance

Limonium perezii is largely free from any pests and diseases, providing it is well drained and given plenty of sun and air.

Rabbits & deer avoid

Mercifully rabbits and deer seem to find it distasteful, while bees and beneficial pollinating insects can’t resist the domes of nectar rich flowers.

While bees & pollinators flock to the party

It is a favourite of both honey-bees and native bees, and a such a boon because of it’s super long blooming season.

Quick & easy from seed

Limonium perezii is very satisfying to grow from seed, as you can have flowering size plants in approx. 3 months from sowing the seed.

Tough evergreen perennial

Evergreen perennial clump 50cm. High in mounded heads of lavender flowers on clean stems x 35cm Wide flat rosette of broad, waxy spoon shaped foliage.

SEED SOWING: QUICK & EASY

Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Sow seeds of Limonium perezii directly in the garden in spring when soil has warmed. Sow 5mm deep.
OR
Sow indoors whenever suitable temperatures can be provided (20-24°C).

Sow indoors for optimum germination: First sow the seeds onto the surface of good quality seed raising mix in a punnet.
Then gently press the seeds into surface of the mix
And only lightly sprinkle with a little sieved mix or vermiculite, as these seeds need light to germinate. Do not bury.

Now thoroughly moisten the sown punnet by standing in a shallow water bath until the moisture percolates through to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place the punnet in warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sunlight – as this will dry the seeds out too much).
You can use a temperature controlled heat mat if you have one, as these seeds respond quickly to consistent warmth.
Temperatures of 20-24°C are optimum for rapid and best germination.

Continue to keep moist by regularly misting from a spray water-bottle.
And covering the punnet with a clear plastic lid or bag will help to retain necessary consistent moisture.
But remove the cover as soon as sprouts show.

Seeds begin to sprout in 7-10 days approx.

Seed Count: 5 seeds per pack approx. (Seeds of this plant are rarely available).
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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