Armeria maritima 'Rubrifolia'

Also Known As

Red Sea Thrift
Ruby Thrift

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 6"-8"
W: 6"-8"

planting zones

4a-10a

More Options

Armeria maritima 'Rubrifolia' plant details

Armeria maritima 'Rubrifolia' is a broadleaf evergreen perennial with burgundy and chocolate foliage. In spring pink flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, seaside / salt tolerant and wind tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Armeria maritima 'Rubrifolia'

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: plumbaginaceae
Foliage: evergreen burgundy and chocolate
Mature size: 6 IN - 8 IN - wide, 6 IN - 8 IN - tall
Flowers: pink blooms in spring
Uses: edging plant, fall color, long-blooming, rock garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Armeria maritima 'Rubrifolia'

USDA Zones: 4a - 10a
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, seaside / salt and wind
Soil needs: average, clay, gritty and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Armeria maritima ‘Rubrifolia’ has dense tufts of purple-red, grass-like foliage which contrast nicely with bright rosy-red, pompom-shaped flowers. Sea Thrift is well suited to coastal gardens. Will thrive in well-drained soil with limited water once established. Perfect for rock garden plantings, containers or between pavers. Tolerates varying amounts of foot traffic.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Ruby is a compact miniature mound. It has tiny inward curving reddish leaves topped by spring flowers of ruby colored pom poms on 3-6 inch stems. May rebloom in cool summer areas. Perfect for troughs, rock gardens, small-scale gardens. For mini scenes use as shrub near a building or in the mini landscape as a blooming mini shrub. Excellent for between pavers on pathway or as border in cottage or perennial gardens in the "big" world. Evergreen in mild winters. The pom pom flowers make excellent tiny dried bouquets.

By: Mini Forest By Sky

Sea pinks have traveled the world enough to be thought of as native on coastal areas of both European and Western North America. This selection has particularly burgundy leaves to only 8-10" and a tightly mounding habit that is adorned by a long series of saturated purple-pink flowers. Prefers year round moisture with good drainage and bright light. Frost hardy to 0 °F, USDA zone 7, or below. Great for rock gardens and the front of perennial borders.

By: Cistus Nursery

Cute little tight tufts of dark red, grassy leaves that are evergreen. Rose pom poms (attractive to butterflies) on 6-8” stems keep coming late spring thru fall. For the seashore or well drained mound or rock garden, needs little water and likes to bask in the sun. Deer & critter resistant.

By: Secret Garden Growers

This is one of our better new acquisitions for this year. The dark foliage is reddish purple especially in spring flowers are typical maritima. ZONE 4

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Stunning burgundy-red winter foliage separates this Armeria from the rest. Individual plants reach 4" high (8" with bloom) with 6" spread and display hot magenta-pink flower heads in spring. Excellent small area groundcover, particularly along the coast where it is salt-spray resistant. Hardy to 0F.

By: Native Sons

Cute as a button, easy & totally tolerant of salt & wind on the coast, "Red-leaved Thrift" is also perfectly content to grow in CLAYISH & SANDY SOILS, as well as rich garden soil. Needing no Summer water at seaside, do provide some Summer water away from the ocean to keep it thriving. Merlot red, narrow, evergreen grass-like leaves form neat & tidy tufts to 12" across, forming little mounds over time. Summertime heat may green them up a wee bit. Plenty of sweet 1.5" magenta pink pom-poms appear throughout Spring on short 6"-8" stems leaving attractive spherical seed heads in their wake. Cut these back to the foliage for a second flush of bloom in Summer. Excellent choice for low maintenance edging, rock gardens & containers. Loved by bees & butterflies! Cute as a cut flower!

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Great little tussock plant with low mounds of tight grassy ruby red foliage and stems bearing small pom-poms of deep pink flowers. A classic rockery or seashore plant. Tolerates drier conditions and thrives with average moisture in good drainage. Full sun.