Crithmum maritimum

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rock samphire

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rock samphire RHS
rock samphire RHS

Other common names

camphire, crestmarine, Peter's cress, samphire, sea fennel, sea samphire, corn carw'r môr

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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