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Herbaceous Perennial

Crithmum maritimum
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

rock samphire

A hairless native perennial commonly known as rock samphire or sea fennel, reaching 40cm in height bearing umbels of greeny yellow flowers from April to September. It is succulent in nature with leaves triangular in cross section

Other common names
camphire
crestmarine
see morePeter's cress
samphire
sea fennel
sea samphire
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green Yellow Green
Autumn Green Yellow Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Apiaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Crithmum are low-growing annuals or perennials reaching around 30cm in height. They have woody stalks with fleshy, divided leaves and white to greenish-yellow flowers. Plants within the genus are often used for their trailing habit or ground cover.

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Naturally occurs in coastal grassland, and rocky cliff places

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.