Athabasca Thrift

When it comes to watering Athabasca Thrift, you should water your plants deeply and thoroughly once a week when the soil is dry. During particularly warm spells, the plant may require additional watering. When watering, aim to saturate the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches. Make sure the soil is draining properly, and avoid leaving standing water in the pot for more than an hour. Additionally, during the summer months, it's recommended that you mist your plants with a fine water spray about once a week.

Athabasca Thrift prefers full sun and sandy or gravelly soils. It should be planted in the springtime when temperatures begin to warm and soil can be readily worked. Conditions in its native habitat—the cold, rocky beaches and cliff crevices of the Alaska and arctic coastlands—can be difficult to mimic elsewhere but, generally, it will do best in a well-drained, low-fertility, neutral to alkaline soil. It should receive sun for 6-10 hours a day, depending on the season. In the summer months, it may require more shade, while in the winter months, direct sunlight will be beneficial. Water deeply but infrequently; allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Athabasca Thrift (Armeria maritima subsp. interior) should be pruned in early spring, just as the new growth begins to emerge. Pruning should be done to shape the plant and to encourage healthy and dense growth. For Athabasca Thrift, it is recommended to remove dead or discolored branches, or spindly growth. Prune the plant back to about 6-8 inches above the crown of the plant. This will encourage the plant to produce denser, fuller foliage. When pruning, be sure to use clean, sharp shears and cut back to a healthy point just above the buds and leaves. This will ensure that the plant can heal correctly and continue to bloom. Remember, with pruning, to never remove more than 1-third of the total growth at 1 time.