Limonium sinuatum Forever Art Shades seeds - Statice

Limonium sinuatum 'Forever Art Shades', also known as Statice or sea lavender, is a tender perennial plant that is grown as an annual for its colourful flowers that last a long time once dried, perfect for creating long-lasting bouquets. This tender plant decorates borders and can also be grown in pots to adorn the terrace. Plants from the 'Forever Art Shades' selection produce large panicles of white, pink, or purple flowers. Statice thrives in the sun in well-drained, light soil, not too dry in summer.

Statice ‘Forever Art Shades’ belongs to the Plumbaginaceae family. Native to Mediterranean coasts, the species (Limonium sinuatum) tolerates the salty and dry soil conditions typical of its natural environment. It has given rise to many horticultural selections with a wide range of colours.

Each plant first forms a basal rosette of lobed and elongated leaves, measuring between 10 and 25 cm, slightly fuzzy. Its stiff, winged stems, reaching 50 to 70 cm in height, bear clusters of small funnel-shaped flowers, with colourful calyces and a paper-like texture. The flower itself is much smaller, almost invisible. The 'Forever Art Shades' flowers come in a palette of white, pink, purple, bluish-purple. They flower from June to September. The flowering is nectar-rich. The fruit is a capsule containing a single seed. This plant readily self-seeds in light soil.

Sea lavender is undoubtedly one of the easiest flowers to dry, simply cut the longest stems possible and hang them upside down in a cool, dry, airy place. They retain their colours for a long time, softening slightly. 'Forever Art Shades' is also useful for lightening up bigger blooms (roses, peonies...), in borders as well as in vases. Sea lavenders can be associated with globe thistles (Echinops ritro) and Pennisetum x advena 'Rubrum', a beautiful annual grass with purple foliage.