Statice (Limonium sinuatum) is an herbaceous and very floriferous plant, originating in the Mediterranean region, which includes southern Europe, North Africa and some countries in the Middle East, where it grows in sandy mounts.
Plant profile
Common name: StaticeScientific name: Limonium sinuatum
Plant type: Annual / Biennial
Height: 50cm - 1.5m
Spread: 50cm - 1.5m
Flower color: Blue, Pink, Purple, White, Yellow
Season of interest: Summer
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Coastal, Informal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden
Planting type: Cut Flowers, Flower borders and bedding
Other characteristics: Drought resistant
The leaves arranged in rosette, basal, pinned with large lobes on each side, and covered by a rough pubescence. The inflorescences appear in the summer, and are terminal, erect above the foliage and supported by winged stems. The densely arranged flowers have a persistent texture with vibrant colors ranging from yellow, coral, blue or pink, according to the variety, and a delicate, light-colored corolla, which may be white , pink or yellow. A real surprise!
Statice, while it grows, is a plant without many attractions. There are those who say that it looks like weed. However, during a long flowering, it brings a show of flowers to the garden. For this reason, its use is indicated for borders, mixed with other species, in a more free and informal style, as in the “cottage” gardens. It looks very good also in rocky inspirational gardens. But what was so remarkable, so famous all over the world, was the fact that its flowers remained beautiful and colorful when drought, harvested for durable flower arrangements. If well dehydrated in the shade, and kept away from direct sunlight, its flowers will hardly fade. They can also be harvested as fresh cut flowers.
How to plant
It should be cultivated under full sun, preferably sandy soil, well drained, enriched with organic matter and irrigated regularly, without soaking.
After well established is tolerant to short periods of drought. It appreciates the warm and sunny climate of the coast, besides the salinity of the soil in these regions. Will not resist frost. During flowering it is interesting to make a supplemental fertilization, diluted in irrigation water and rich in phosphorus and potassium. The statice has a single long flowering season, so it is not necessary to remove the flowers so that it blooms again.
How to propagate
It is easily multiplied by seed (please read our step by step guide: How to grow statice from seed). Sow in a mixture of sand and vegetable soil and cover to raise the temperature. Germinates in 7 to 14 days. Transplant when the seedlings have two true leaves. The ideal time for planting is in the spring, after the last frost, or in autumn, if a greenhouse is available. Plant in the garden only in the spring when it is already free of frost.
