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Limonium sinuatum

Image of Limonium sinuatum

Maureen Gilmer

Family

Plumbaginaceae

Botanical Name

Limonium sinuatum

Plant Common Name

Statice, Wavyleaf Sea Lavender

General Description

Famous as an everlasting flower, statice or sea lavender is most often grown by flower designers and crafters who treasure its dry, papery blooms. The plant is native to warm Mediterranean regions where it may remain perennial if conditions are sufficiently mild. But, a light frost will spell the end of its plant life.

This fast grower begins the season as a rosette of deeply lobed, hairy, narrow leaves. The plant is easily grown from seed, so it is easy to take advantage of the many different cultivars available in popular seed catalogs.

As temperatures warm, statice sends up stiff, branched, winged stems topped with clusters of small white flowers typically surrounded by dry, violet-blue calyces. The flowers appear from summer into fall and will keep blooming as the mature stems are cut. The dry, colorful calyces retain their form and color long after the entire stem has been cut and dried. If left uncut they will eventually turn brown. Hybridization has extended the color range of this plant to include cultivars with flowers in shades of yellow, white, magenta, coral and pink.

Sites with full sun and very well-drained, modestly fertile soil are the best for statice. Plant it in masses in cutting gardens for a plentiful harvest of blooms for crafts and arrangements. When mature, cut the stems, bundle and hang them upside down in a cool dry place. This will help them retain their upright form and color. Continued sun exposure will cause the flower colors to eventually fade.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 3

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    8 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    16"-30" / 40.6cm - 76.2cm

  • Width

    10"-12" / 25.4cm - 30.5cm

  • Bloom Time

    Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall

  • Native To

    Mediterranean

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Yellow, Red, Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta, Peach, Blue Violet

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Cutflower, Dried Flower/Everlasting, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No