Statice , also love as ocean lavender , is a beautiful unfolding plant that is native to the Mediterranean region . It is commonly grow as an yearly in many parts of the world , including the United States . However , in some modest coastal domain , statice can remain as a short - lived perennial .
Statice is a audacious plant that can tolerate a wide range of arise circumstance . It prefers full sunlight and well - draining stain , but it can also tolerate partial shade and a variety of soil types . It is drouth - tolerant once established and can thrive in coastal areas with salty or arenaceous land .
In terms of hardiness zones , statice is typically grown as an annual in zones 2 - 10 . However , in mild coastal surface area with mild winters , it may be able to survive as a perennial in zones 8 - 10 . These areas have milder temperature and longer develop seasons , which allow the plant life to persist and mayhap even rebloom in subsequent year .
Personal experience : I have grown sea lavender in my garden in zone 9b , which has mild winters and warm summer . The plants have prosper and produced beautiful blooms throughout the summer month . However , I have found that statice is not a firm rebloomer in my area , and the plant typically worsen after a year or two . As a issue , I often treat it as an annual and replant novel seedlings each year to insure a uninterrupted showing of flowers .
If you live in a frigid zona where sea lavender is not reliably intrepid , you may still enjoy this lovely plant by growing it as an annual . Start statice seeds indoors 6 - 8 hebdomad before the last Robert Frost date in your area . Once the risk of frost has drop dead , you may transplant the seedlings into your garden or containers .
sea lavender is a relatively low - maintenance plant . It does n’t require much fertiliser , and excessive nutrients can actually run to leggy growth and reduce flush production . even watering is necessary , especially during hot and dry period , but be certain to allow the soil to dry out between watering to preclude theme rot .
To encourage uninterrupted bloom , it is important to deadhead the expend flush . This will prevent the plant from putting energy into seed production and instead airt it towards producing more blooms . Simply pinch off the faded flowers at their base to promote novel growth and flower production .
While statice is primarily grown as an yearly in most region , it can persist as a suddenly - lived perennial in mild coastal areas . It is a various plant that can tolerate a range of grow conditions and is relatively humbled - maintenance . Whether you select to grow it as an annual or a repeated , statice will pay back you with its beautiful and long - lasting bloom .
Caroline Bates
