Armeria maritima 'Morning Star Deep Rose' (Sea Thrift)

Sea thrift is named for where it thrives: coastal bluffs, salt-exposed shorelines, rocky outcrops, and wind-swept headlands where most perennials would struggle. It forms dense, grassy mounds of narrow evergreen foliage that stay tight and tidy year-round, and in spring through early summer it sends up round, clover-like flowerheads on slender stems in shades ranging from white to deep rose. 'Morning Star Deep Rose' delivers some of the richest pink tones available in the species, with saturated, deep rose blooms that hold their color well.

For Oregon coast gardeners, sea thrift is close to a perfect plant. It handles salt air, tolerates poor and sandy soils, shrugs off drought once established, and keeps its compact form without any pruning. It's a natural fit for rock gardens, front-of-border edging, coastal slope plantings, and container combinations. The mounding foliage provides clean textural contrast to larger-leaved plants all season, and the flowers attract bees and butterflies during their spring bloom period.

Plant in full sun with well-drained soil and resist the urge to amend heavily: sea thrift is adapted to lean conditions and performs better without rich fertilization. Divide clumps every few years if the center begins to die out, which is normal as the plant matures.