Armeria 'Nifty Thrifty'

Also Known As

Armeria maritima 'Nifty Thrifty'
Nifty Thrifty Sea Thrift

Plant type

perennial, groundcover, grass / grass like

size

H: 3"-6"
W: 6"-12"

planting zones

4a-10a

More Options

Armeria 'Nifty Thrifty' plant details

Armeria 'Nifty Thrifty' is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen perennial groundcover grass (or grassy in appearance) with green, variegated and white foliage. In spring and summer 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. Does well in average, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something seaside / salt tolerant and wind tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Armeria 'Nifty Thrifty'

Plant type: perennial groundcover grass (or grassy in appearance)
Plant family: plumbaginaceae
Foliage: evergreen green, variegated and white
Mature size: 6 IN - 12 IN - wide, 3 IN - 6 IN - tall
Flowers: pink blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, cutting garden, edging plant, rock garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Armeria 'Nifty Thrifty'

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

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

The narrow, grass-like, green and gold foliage is held in a compact mound. Bright and cheerful for the front of the border, containers, or the dry garden. Each spring the plants are graced with numerous short stems with globe-shaped flower heads tightly packed with small, bright pink flowers. Sporadic re-blooming is common throughout the summer. Tolerant of salty soils and coastal environments.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Cute little cushions that look like urchins forming 3-4” clumps. Thin, grassy leaves are edged in cream. Best grown in lean, infertile, well drained soils or sand in full sun. Pink pom-pom flowers April to May on 6-10” stems with sporadic bloom throughout the summer – deadhead for best bloom. Deer resistant, drought tolerant. Native to west coast. Really happy at the beach!

By: Secret Garden Growers

Zones: 3-8 (Zones 9,10 sited in cool moist area). Nifty Thrifty is a variegated version of Victor Reiter in that it is compact and clumping with pink pom pom flowers and the leaves have a green and white variegation, making a lighter brighter green effect.

By: Mini Forest By Sky

A very attractive new variegated form with long slender leaves, from a distance the plant has an overall lime green cast, however up close the variegation is quite evident. ZONE 4

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Typical Armeria form and flower color, but selected for its atypical variegation of pale green edged vertically with warm yellow. Reaches 4-6" tall (8" with blooms) with an equal spread. Charming in containers where the variegation can be viewed up close. Hardy to 0F.

By: Native Sons

A variegated form of sea pinks with striking green and white foliage, compact mounds of grass like narrow foliage. Great for edging, rock gardens, troughs, etc. Rose pink pom pom like flowers of short stiff stems in summer. Likes sun and well drained soil, growing 6-8". Hardy to zone 4