Bloodstone Sea Thrift
Bloodstone Sea Thrift
Deep Red Pom-Poms Over Tidy Grassy Tufts
Bloodstone Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima 'Bloodstone') is a charming, compact perennial that forms a neat, evergreen tuft of grassy foliage topped in late spring with rich, deep red, ball-shaped flowers on slender stems. Tough as nails, it thrives in the hot, dry, lean, well-drained spots, including salty roadsides, that defeat most plants. Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and pollinator-friendly, it's a perfect little gem for rock gardens, edging, and containers in Eden Prairie, Plymouth, and Eagan.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Armeria maritima 'Bloodstone' |
| Mature Size | 6–10 in tall and wide (compact) |
| Hardiness Zone | Zone 3–9 (fully hardy across Minnesota) |
| Light | Full sun |
| Bloom Time | Late spring, often reblooming |
| Flower Color | Deep red pom-poms |
| Soil | Lean, sandy, well-drained; very drought and salt tolerant |
Landscape Uses
Use Bloodstone in rock gardens, troughs, edging, and the front of sunny borders, and along walks and driveways where salt and drought are issues. It pairs beautifully with sedum, hens-and-chicks, and other small sun lovers.
Best Time to Plant
Plant in spring or early fall in a sunny, well-drained spot.
How to Plant
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill (avoid heavy, rich soil), water in, and mulch lightly with grit or gravel. Avoid wet, poorly drained sites.
Watering
First Year: Water deeply once a week to establish, avoiding soggy soil.
After Year One: Little supplemental water needed; it's highly drought tolerant. Avoid overwatering, which can rot the crown.
Drip Irrigation: Use sparingly; sea thrift prefers dry conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it stay evergreen?
The grassy foliage is largely evergreen, providing year-round texture.
Will it tolerate salt?
Yes, as a seaside native it handles road salt and tough, lean soils well.
Is it hardy in Minnesota?
Yes, it's a Zone 3 perennial, fully hardy statewide.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes, deer tend to avoid sea thrift.
You May Also Like
Pair Bloodstone with Dusseldorf Pride Sea Thrift, sedum, and hens-and-chicks for a colorful, low-water rock or edging garden.
How Many Bloodstone Sea Thrift Do I Need?
This compact, mounding perennial is ideal for edging and rock gardens. Space plants about 10 inches apart for a continuous ribbon, or set in groups of 3–5.
| Edge Length | Plants at ~10 in |
|---|---|
| 10 ft edge | 12 plants |
| 20 ft edge | 24 plants |
| 30 ft edge | 36 plants |
Bloodstone Sea Thrift Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Deep-red, ball-shaped pom-poms rise on slender stems above the grassy tuft in late spring.
- Summer: Often reblooms; the neat grassy mound stays tidy and green through the heat.
- Fall: Foliage holds its color and form as cooler weather returns.
- Winter: The grassy tuft stays largely evergreen, giving year-round texture in the rock garden.
At a Glance
✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Salt-Tolerant ✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Evergreen
Plant It With
- Dusseldorf Pride Sea Thrift — a pink-flowered sea thrift for a two-tone, low-water edging.
- Blue Eddy Allium — blue-gray swirled foliage and pink globes share the same lean, sunny rock-garden spot.
- Autumn Fire Sedum — a fellow drought-lover that extends color into late season.
- Little Bluestem — fine-textured native grass for an airy backdrop behind the tidy tufts.
Is Bloodstone Sea Thrift Right for Your Yard?
Bloodstone thrives in full sun and lean, sandy, sharply drained soil — even along salty driveways and walks where little else survives. Not a fit for wet, heavy, or rich soil, which rots the crown; overwatering is its main enemy.