Limonium vulgare aka Marsh Rosemary

Limonium vulgare, or common sea lavender, belongs to the Plumbaginaceae family. This perennial grows in coastal sites within temperate regions. Kew lists Portugal as its native range. Plants For A Future records it across much of Europe and Turkey. The RHS also identifies it as native to Britain and Ireland. Its wild habitats include muddy salt marshes, where it avoids shade.

The plant forms a rounded clump of basal leaf rosettes. Its slender leaves range from green to grey-green. The RHS describes its foliage as deciduous or semi-evergreen. Leaf clumps stand about 1 foot [0.3 m] tall. Thin, branched flower stems reach about 1.5 feet [0.45 m]. The listed garden size reaches 1.6 feet [0.5 m] tall and wide. Plants take two to five years to reach full size.

Sprays of papery flowers rise above the low leaf clumps. Their shades include lavender, lilac, and pinkish mauve. The RHS describes a long summer flowering season. Chicago Botanic Garden records bloom from July through October. Its lavender flowers suit beds and borders as well as cutting. The low leaves and taller stems give the clump two distinct layers. The RHS also lists it for wildlife gardens and informal planting.

Choose full sun and soil that drains well. Sandy soil suits it, but chalk and loam also work. It accepts acidic, neutral, and alkaline soils. The RHS notes that it tolerates dry, stony ground and drought. These traits suit gravel gardens and coastal beds. Both exposed and sheltered sites can meet its needs. The RHS rates its hardiness as H7. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 4–7 and dry growing conditions.

Raise new plants from seed, or divide clumps in spring. Tidy the spent flower stems once flowering ends. The RHS reports few pest problems, though powdery mildew may occur. Chicago Botanic Garden also lists resistance to deer. Plants For A Future does not flag it as weedy. That source records no known edible uses or hazards. This does not establish that the plant is safe to eat. It also records moth-repellent use and tannin from the roots. Its low medicinal rating reflects recorded uses, not proof of benefit.