Armeria Dreameria® 'Sweet Dreams'

Armeria Dreameria® 'Sweet Dreams': Mauve Pink Pompoms From Frost to Frost

Lavender-pink globes on long stems, the colour of a nightlight in a kid's room. 'Sweet Dreams' blooms through the heat like it's been tucked in properly. LIGHTS OUT, BLOOMS ON.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Armeria pseudarmeria 'Sweet Dreams'
• Common Name: False Sea Thrift
• Series: Dreameria®, introduced by Darwin Perennials
• Height: 25–30 cm (10–12 in)
• Spread: 25–30 cm (10–12 in)
• Flowers: Lavender-pink to mauve-pink rounded globes on long, upright stems
• Bloom Time: Late spring to fall (May to September)
• Foliage: Evergreen, strap-like green leaves in a compact mound
• Features: Long, repeat bloom, heat tolerant, good cut flower

Where to Plant: Plant it along the front of a sunny border, in a rock garden or in containers on a hot patio. Its soft colour sits nicely between white and deeper pinks in a mixed bed. Give it a sunny, sheltered spot with excellent drainage, since wet winter soil does more harm than cold.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Sweet Dreams' in a sunny, lean-soil bed with warm partners that pick up its mauve-pink. Sempervivum 'Sunset' tucks in at the front at 8 to 10 cm with colourful rosettes. Tanacetum 'Robinson's Giant Mix' adds painted daisies at 45 to 75 cm in June and July. Iris 'Pumpkin Cheesecake' opens cream and soft orange bearded flowers at 75 cm in June and July. Pennisetum 'Karley Rose' arches behind at 90 to 100 cm with rosy plumes from July to October.

Plant Care: Give it full sun, six hours or more, and well-drained soil. Avoid heavy clay and places where water sits. Water regularly through the first season, then during dry spells. Remove spent flower stems right at the base about once a month for steady rebloom. The foliage stays green through winter, so don't cut it back in fall. Clean up any damaged leaves in spring.

History: Darwin Perennials brought the Dreameria® series to garden centres in 2018. It comes from Armeria pseudarmeria, a Portuguese native with bigger flower heads than common sea thrift, bred for flowers from frost to frost.

Final Thoughts: Plant it in full sun and let it hum along all season. Deer ignore it, butterflies don't. NIGHTY NIGHT, BORING BORDERS.