Limonium carolinianum
Carolina sea lavender
Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America
Overview
Limonium carolinianum is a perennial of coastal salt marshes growing from a thick woody taproot, with a basal rosette of leathery, spoon-shaped leaves 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, dark green and smooth. In summer it sends up a branched, wiry flowering stalk 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) tall that spreads into an open, airy panicle. The tiny flowers, about 0.15 inch (4 mm) wide, are pale lavender to purple and are spaced along the upper sides of the branches, opening a few at a time. The dried flower stalk holds its form and color into fall and is used in dried arrangements. Plants are slow to establish and long-lived once settled, growing from a single crown rather than spreading. Native to tidal marshes, it tolerates salt, periodic flooding, and sandy or mucky soils, but needs full sun and declines in shade or in soils that never drain. Bloom is sparse in the first years after planting.
Native Range
Native to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America from Quebec and the Maritimes south to Florida and Texas. Grows in coastal salt marshes, tidal flats, and the upper edges of beaches in saline soils.Suggested Uses
Used in coastal and salt-marsh gardens, seaside borders, and dried flower production. Spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart in full sun on saline soils. The branched stalks are cut and dried for arrangements.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Tiny lavender flowers open from July through September, opening a few at a time across the branched panicle. The display builds over several weeks and the dried stalk persists into fall. Bloom is sparse until plants are well established, often by the third year.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pale lavender to purpleFoliage Description
Dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grown in full sun on sandy or saline, moist but draining soil; established plants tolerate salt spray, tidal flooding, and drought. Shade and rich, constantly wet soils reduce flowering and cause crown rot. Watering is needed during establishment, after which coastal conditions suit it. Plants grow from a deep taproot and resent transplanting once settled, so they are set out young from seed. Bloom increases as the crown matures over two to three years. Few pests affect it in open, salty sites.Pruning
Cut the spent flower stalk in late fall or leave it standing for dried interest. The basal rosette is left intact year-round. Plants are not divided, as they grow from a single taproot.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons