Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima) is a native perennial found in coastal areas of Europe, North America, and Asia. In its natural range, Sea Thrift can be found along coastal cliffs, dunes, and rocky meadows where it has adapted to tolerate the challenging and often harsh conditions of these habitats. Its clumps of evergreen basal leaves form tight, dense mounds that provide year-round interest. During the spring and early summer months, Sea Thrift produces charming pink or sometimes white flower heads atop low slender stems, creating a whimsical seaside display. 
 
These flowers not only add a pop of color but also emit a pleasant, sweet fragrance that attracts pollinators from late spring to early summer, usually starting in May and extending through June. The arrangement and structure of the flowers provide a perfect landing platform for bees and butterflies, while the pink-to-fuchsia color and tubular shape is attractive to hummingbirds. The dense clumps of foliage can provide shelter for small insects, such as predatory ground beetles that can help control garden pests.
 
With its ability to tolerate salt spray and sandy soils, it is an ideal plant for coastal gardens or restoration. Its compact size and attractive foliage make it suitable for rock gardens, borders, or edging along pathways. Additionally, Sea Thrift is known to effectively stabilize soil on slopes or coastal areas prone to erosion. Its tolerance to drought conditions also allows it to thrive in xeriscapes or low-water gardens. Seeds can be sown in spring and should be lightly covered with sand and kept damp.