Statice - Sea Lavender

OP One of the most popular dried flowers, also sought after for fresh cut flowers and equally looks stunning in the garden. A short lived perennial often grown as an annual, it is frost tender so in our climate must be planted annually. Also known as wavyleaf sea lavender and notch leaf marsh rosemary, this plant is native to Southern , North Africa, the ,  and . It usually grows naturally in sandy soils, and prefers a warm sunny spot. It produces wavy dark green foliage that grows low to the ground and when flowering from summer produces 70cm high purple flowers. The purple flowers are the hardiest and have been grown for the longest and may be the original colour. The true flowers are found on top of the purple petals and are a delicate white bloom. The white flowers will fall off but the purple petals stay their colour and are known as “Everlastings”. For drying hang upside down to insure they hold their colour. 

Sow into tray in early spring or summer. Prick out to 4cm diagonal spacing when true leaves appear. Transplant into garden in patches, great at the edge to draw in beneficial insects and pollinators. Or broadcast sow in strips or in patches in the orchard. Great understory plant around fruit trees.

40 seeds.