Statice perezii (Limonium perezii) ‘Sea Lavender’

This tough, drought tolerant and coast loving perennial is not only beautiful to look at, but accomplishes that with little effort on your part. Native to the Canary Islands in the Pacific off the coast of Spain, it tolerates salt air and is also hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Its Limonium name comes from the Greek ‘leimon’, meaning meadow, as this plant loves to grow in fields, marshes, other open spaces and will give a glorious supply of bright purple color in these low maintenance settings. Ideal for Sunset Climate Zones 13, 15-17, and 20-24, once you recognize this plant you will appreciate its beautification of many areas on the Central Coast. You will easily understand why it has also been called sea lavender (although it is not a true lavender).

Its bright purple/blue calyces contrast with the snow white corollas in the center of the flower. It has leathery green branches and leaves, and the flowers have a paper quality that makes them a great cut flower, fresh or dried. They can grow to be 3 feet tall and wide and need a well drained soil to survive. Water them intermittently until they are established and then, in most coastal areas, they can be left alone. Inland, in hotter areas they will do best if given afternoon shade and more frequent irrigation. Use them to stabilize soil on slopes, fill space in large yard areas, and as a screen or border to a yard. Pair them with other drought resistant plants such as the lovely contrasting Achillea ‘Moonshine’, Calendula ‘Bon Bon Orange’ , Coreopsis ‘Early Sunrise’ , or, another recently featured plant, Leonotus leonurus ‘Lion’s Tail’. The contrasting colors will delight you. We are currently growing Statice perezii in 4” and 6 pack containers, and will soon have them in gallon size. Please give us a call, ‘Like’ us on Face book, or check out our website at www.clearwatercolor.com to learn more about these and other plants we are growing here at Clearwater Color Nursery.