Limonium latifolium

Aug 6, 2026 | PLANT OF THE MONTH, Perennials | 0 comments

Limonium latifolium- OXA plant of the month for August 2026

PLANT OF THE MONTH- August

by Sigrie Kendrick

Limonium latifolium, Sea Lavender

A Cloud of Colour for the Dry Garden

If you’re looking to add texture without adding to your water bill, Limonium latifolium deserves a spot on your shortlist. Commonly known as sea lavender or broad-leaved statice, this perennial in the Plumbaginaceae family hails originally from the coasts of southeastern Europe. Surprisingly, its heat and drought tolerance make it a natural fit for the hot, dry summers of the Okanagan.

The plant forms a low, leathery rosette of broad, dark-green leaves close to the ground, from which wiry, branching flower stems rise in mid-to-late summer. These stems erupt into hundreds of tiny lavender-blue blooms, creating an airy, cloud-like haze that seems to float above the foliage. It’s this misty texture rather than any single showy flower that makes sea lavender so valuable in a xeric border, as it softens the sharper forms of companion plants such as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) or ornamental grasses without competing for water.

Limonium latifolium, Sea lavender- close-up
Limonium latifolium- OXA plant of the month for August

Leonora Enking | Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Sea lavender thrives in full sun and demands sharp drainage with gritty, rocky, or sandy soils. This perennial can survive in lighter soil far better than heavy clay, where it can flop and require staking. Once established, it needs only occasional deep watering, and mature plants can persist for decades with minimal care. Importantly, Sea lavender is a well-behaved garden plant, and it is not considered invasive in our region. For Okanagan gardeners transitioning a sunny, well-drained bed toward lower water use, it’s a reliable, low-fuss choice that rewards patience with years of shimmering summer colour. As a bonus, the flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies, and the papery blooms dry beautifully for arrangements– simply cut before they’re fully open and hang them in a shaded, airy spot.
Limonium latifolium - Sea Lavender, xeriscape plant of the month for august

Our Plant Database features more than 500 plants tested and ideally suited for the unique challenges of gardening in the Okanagan’s extreme climate, including the plants in this article.