Collection of 3 Armeria pseudarmeria Ballerina

The collection consists of:

- x 1 Armeria pseudarmeria 'Ballerina Red', with dark red flowers

- x 1 Armeria pseudarmeria 'Ballerina Lilac', displaying mauve flower heads

- x 1 Armeria pseudarmeria 'Ballerina White', featuring white flowers.

Individually labelled.

The 'Ballerina' Great Thrift belongs to the Plumbaginaceae family. It is a lovely selection derived from Arméria pseudarmeria, native to mountains and coasts of the northern hemisphere, including Western Portugal. In 2009, the 'Ballerina' series developed by the Dutch company Kieft Bloemzaden BV highlighted this small, sturdy and unpretentious plant by receiving the 'Fleuroselect Award Winner'. The plants in the Ballerina series offer larger flowers than the typical species, stronger floral stems and are more prolific and vigorous.

Each of these perennial plants will reach approximately 25cm (10in) in height when in flower, with foliage measuring 10cm (4in), and a spread of 30cm (12in). Armeria pseudarmeria Ballerina forms a compact and dense tuft composed of lanceolate basal leaves, with a slightly bluish-green colour. The remarkably long flowering period begins in May-June and lasts until August, sometimes with a second flush in late summer. The flowers are grouped in dense, rounded heads at the top of short, rigid stems. The foliage, evergreen in winter, is anchored to the clump and has a very vibrant blue-green colour, useful in winter. The linear and elongated leaves resemble those of certain grasses.

The Armeria maritima Ballerina is primarily a sun-loving plant that thrives in dry soil and coastal areas and will fully play its role as ground cover in rockeries or borders. It can be associated with other perennials that require similar growing conditions, such as carnations, classic but unbeatable in this setting, as well as other small cushion forming plants like woolly artemisia, heart-leaved globe daisy, creeping baby's breath, Helichrysum angustifolium, silver carpet (Cerastium tomentosum), or fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus). It can also be planted in an alpine garden or in pots, containers and planters.