prickly thrift
Acantholimon ulicinum
Overview
Prickly thrift (Acantholimon ulicinum) is an amazing plant species due to its beautiful and unique prickly foliage. Its silver-green foliage is covered with small prickles providing a fascinating texture. Growing to about 20 cm tall, it can form an effective ground cover. Thanks to its salt-tolerant and drought-tolerant nature, it can thrive in coastal areas, even in hot and dry climates. Its attractive foliage and general hardiness make this species an interesting addition to rock gardens and borders. Round clusters of delicate, star-shaped bright pink flowers bloom in summer, adding to its overall beauty. Its incredibly easy to care for and low maintenance, making prickly thrift a great choice for any garden.
Care Guide
Watering
Prickly thrift requires regular watering to thrive. Water the soil deeply each week during the growing season (April to September). Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings. Then give the plant a good soaking with moisture reaching up to 5” (13 cm) deep. During the winter months, reduce watering frequency to every 2 to 3 weeks. Take caution to avoid overwatering; soggy soil can cause root rot.
Light
Prickly thrift (Acantholimon ulicinum) does best in full sun, meaning it should receive 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight each day. During the summer, prickly thrift should be positioned in an area where it receives morning light and shade in the afternoon, when heat is most intense. In winter, prickly thrift may benefit from full sun during the day, as well as some indirect light in the late afternoon. For optimal growth, place prickly thrift in an area that receives equal amounts of direct and indirect light.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 4-8.
Pruning
Prickly thrift (Acantholimon ulicinum) generally requires minimal pruning and can easily become overgrown or leggy when not regularly maintained. To maintain the shape and size of the plant, prune it in late winter or early spring while the plant is still dormant. Cut off any woody, misshapen, or otherwise unsightly branches, as well as any dead or dying stems near the base. Because prickly thrift is a flowering shrub, it is best to not prune it too heavily as this can reduce the number of flowers it produces. To ensure a good balance between dense foliage and plenty of flowers, trim the outer stems and lateral branches back by 1/3 to 1/2 of their original length. The best practice is to remove only non-flowering stems.
Propagation
Division, Cutting, Seed Propagation, Layering Propagation
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