Statice 'Rats Tail' (Pink Pokers)
Rats tail statice seeds, also known as pink pokers statice - Unusual dense vertical spikes of pink flowers, I love them.
Limonium suworowii
Minimum 25 seeds
Lets talk about them
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The queen of dried flowers. Easily overlooked for use in fresh bouquet work (but don’t, it’s wonderful as a fresh cut flower). Pretty little papery flowers that bloom all summer long, very productive, and super easy to grow. Rats tail statice is very different to any other statice - this grows in long strong stems covered in bright pink flowers. It's fabulous.
How to make these beauties grow
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Sow: Autumn for overwintering. Or late spring 4-6 weeks before the last frost.
How: Surface sow and cover lightly – light required for germination. Seeds sown in autumn - seedlings need to be grown in a cold frame or greenhouse, as the seedlings are tender to heavy frosts.
Space: 30cm
Height: 60-90cm
Where: Full sun
Days to Maturity: 60-80 days
Pick: When all the flowers have open. 7 days+ vase life, or can be dried
Annual
Notes From The Garden
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Unlike other flowers – wait until all the flowers have opened before cutting overwise it will wilt. Rats tail in particular is more prone to wilting. I've found searing the ends in boiling water for 20 seconds prevents wilting (and even rejuvenates wilted stems).
Pinching statice is not required, as it grows all its stems from the base.
Photo: Barrhill Blooms