Acantholimon ulicinum
Gorse like prickly thrift
Also known as Acantholimon androsaceum, Acantholimon echinus
- Height × spread
- 0.15m × 0.2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is pretty little plant that forms a dense fine leafed cushion. The linear grey green foliage is rather rigid and prickly to the touch. It has starry pink flowers which come from June until August and the plant then takes on bronze autumnal tints. In the wild, the plant is found in rocky rubble up to 3,000m (10,000ft) high. Growing to 15cm (6in), it is slow growing, prefers poor soil and full sun and it can be used to fill in rock crevices.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey
- Autumn foliage
- Brown-bronze
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.15m
- Spread
- 0.2m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Rock garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided in alternate years. Clumps may be divided into two or more pieces. Rhizomes can be cut whilst small bulbs or offsets are detached. The new plants can be grown in a container or planted in the ground.