Stately, stable and robust, sea lavender provides greenery in sunny locations with poor soil. In order for the delicate flower clouds to develop magnificently, they only require a little care. The following answers to frequently asked questions provide what is necessary to enjoy the Mediterranean flair of sea lavender.
What are the main characteristics of sea lavender?
Sea lavender, also known as sea lavender, is an easy-care plant that thrives in sunny, dry and nutrient-poor soil. The flowering period varies between May and September depending on the species. The plant is hardy and is suitable as a dried flower.
Planting sea lavender correctly
Purchased or grown Limonium by hand should be in the ground from the beginning of May. So that the powerful taproot can spread quickly, the poor, sandy-loamy soil in the sunny location is deeply loosened and weeded. Create a spacious planting pit at a distance of 35-40 cm from the bed neighbors. On this occasion, clay-concrete soil is enriched with sand or fine grit. Do not plant the potted sea lavender deeper than it was grown in the nursery pot.read more
Care tips
The care requirement of sea lavender is at its maximum level immediately after planting and later tends to zero. Since young Limoniums move into the garden with a high water requirement, they receive frequent visits from the watering can in the first few weeks. As the rain progresses, it takes over this work. The entire care program at a glance:
- Sea lavender only water when it is dry in summer
- Administer starter fertilization in poor soil in May
- Alternatively, incorporate some compost every 30 days from May to August
- Clean up wilted flowers repeatedly
- Pruning close to the ground in autumn
- If winter is dry, water a little on frost-free days
In harsh winter regions, cover the planting site with brushwood or leaves to protect the root ball from excess moisture. If Limonium thrives in a pot, place the container in a frost-free room throughout the winter and water every now and then so that the root ball does not dry out.read more
Which location is suitable?
A location in full sun is exactly what Limonium species like. The sun worshipers don't let up even during summer heat waves. Thanks to their stability, sea lavenders maintain their tightly upright posture even when a strong wind blows. Sea lavender develops its floral power in poor, calcareous and sandy-dry soil.
The correct planting distance
The clump-like and bushy, sprawling habit of sea lavender requires an appropriate planting distance of 35 to 40 cm. Compact species, such as North African sea lavender, come into their own wonderfully at a distance of 30 cm from their bed neighbors.
What soil does the plant need?
Beach lilac not only provides the most beautiful dried flowers for your bouquets and arrangements. At the same time, the undemanding perennial acts as a problem solver for locations with poor, sandy, dry soil. In addition, the soil for sea lavender can be calcareous, as is the case in gravel beds or rock gardens. In the pot, Limonium thrives best in standard potting soil that is enriched with sand and rock dust.
When is flowering time?
The plant family provides us with magnificent species and different flowering times. While the popular broad-leaved sea lavender spreads its flower clouds from May to July, the steppe veil sea lavender is still getting started for a flowering period from July to August. The flower festival is topped by the winged sea lavender, which blooms non-stop from May to September.
cutting sea lavender correctly
The fragrant inflorescences on wiry stems above the leathery to coarse leaves make sea lavender a premium supplier of dried flowers. Therefore, the perennial is cut during the flowering period for this purpose exactly when the flowers have just opened. If you want to enjoy the maritime flair all summer long, cut out withered flowers regularly. In the fall, cut the entire shrub down to just above the ground and spread a layer of leaves or brushwood over it.
Watering sea lavender
Once a sea lavender has become firmly rooted in the bed, the additional water supply takes a back seat. In the Central European climate, the perennial makes do with the natural rainfall. If the leaves hang limply, sea lavender signals the need for watering. This exceptional case can occur during summer droughts. When grown in pots, the substrate dries out more quickly. Check the moisture level with your finger every few days to water when the soil surface is dry.
Fertilize sea lavender properly
Sea lavender demonstrates its puristic character, not least in terms of nutrient supply. A one-time starter fertilization with complete fertilizer in May covers the energy requirement. In natural gardens, we recommend adding compost with horn shavings every 30 days from May to August. If there is a sea lavender in the pot, treat the perennial with a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every 4 weeks from May to August.
Wintering
The majority of Limonium species are hardy, so they thrive in our gardens for several years. It is not so much freezing frost that sea lavender should be protected from, but rather constant winter wetness. We therefore recommend spreading a layer of brushwood or leaves after the sea lavender has been pruned in autumn. Cut potted plants back close to the ground and carry them to a frost-free winter quarters (€247.00 on Amazon).
Propagate sea lavender
The uncomplicated cultivation of sea lavender continues seamlessly during propagation. There are the following two procedures that have proven successful in the hobby garden.
Sowing
- In February/March, fill small pots with peat sand
- Sow 2-3 seeds each and sift them at three times the seed strength
- Moisten with a fine shower gel, put a plastic bag over it and place it on the window
At 15-18 degrees Celsius, germination occurs within 12-20 days. Once seedlings have developed with two pairs of leaves, they are transplanted into individual pots and cared for until the planting date in May.
Root cuttings
- Dig up a sea lavender that is at least 3 years old in April/May
- Cut a maximum of a third of the length from the root
- Cut this root piece into approx. 5 cm long segments
Plant the root cuttings in small pots with potting soil, where they root quickly in a partially shaded location. Alternatively, simply stick the cuttings into the loose soil in a sunny location so that they root in place.
Which species of sea lavender thrive in the garden?
The large Limonium family is made up of more than 350 species, of which only a few have established themselves as ornamental plants. We have put together a selection of the most beautiful sea lavender for you here:
- Broad-leaved sea lavender (Limonium latifolium): light purple flowers from May to July above broad leaves
- Winged sea lavender (Limonium sinuatum): Pink, yellow or white flowers on winged stems from May to September
- Steppe Sea Lilac (Limonium gmelinii): Reddish to purple flower spikes from July to August
- Bicolor sea lavender (Limonium brassicifolium): Blue calyxes lead to a white crown
- North African sea lavender (Limonium bonduellei): Impresses with yellow flowers and compact growth
These sea lavender species are - in contrast to numerous other species - all hardy, so they thrive as perennials in the garden.
