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Common Sea-lavender

©Terry Whittaker/2020VISION

Common sea-lavender

Common sea-lavender can be found around our coasts on mudflats, creek banks and saltmarshes. Despite its name, its not a lavender at all, so doesn’t smell like one.

Scientific name

Limonium vulgare

When to see

July to October

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 30cm
Common.

Habitats

About

Common sea-lavender grows in muddy, salty pools or saltmarshes along the coast. Its flowers range in colour from blue through to lilac and pink, and can often be seen densely carpeting the ground from July to October. Garden varieties of this plant are popular with flower arrangers as the flowers can be dried and keep their shape and colour.

How to identify

Clusters of pretty, mauve flowers appear at the top of stiff, long stems, giving Common Sea-lavender a distinctive look. The small, oval leaves are found at the base of the plant.

Distribution

Found around the coast, mostly in England and Wales.

Did you know?

Common sea-lavender is actually not related to Lavender at all, so does not have the characteristic smell. However, it is a great nectar-source and is visited by bees, wasps, butterflies and moths.