The common name for the hardy perennial Acantholimon is Prickly thrift and they look great growing in rock-gardens.
It is important to grow the Acantholimon plant in dry conditions and it typically flowers from July to August.
Acantholimon androsaceum picture by Bdk, CC
Prickly thrift plants are normally evergreen, have many star shaped flowers, and needle-like prickly leaves.
It is native to the dryer and desert areas of Europe, South America, and central Asia.
In the Garden it is best suited for rockeries, or for growing in wall crevices.
Plants have a cushion and mat-forming habit
Latin names of some of the more common species that I have no photographs for include Acantholimon androsaceum; acantholimon acerosum; acantholimon puberulum; and acantholimon armenum
Acantholimon ulicinum (Gorse Prickly Thrift) photograph by Ghislain118.
Acantholimon venustum (Beautiful prickly thrift) by Biodiversity Heritage Library, CC.
Lithograph of Acantholimon glumaceum, CC.
Acantholimon olivieri photograph by col&tasha, Creative Commons.
Of all these alpine species, few can be reliably grown. They will require a vertical wall or crevice that faces South or West. Acantholimon glumaceum and Acantholimon venustum should be the easiest to grow.
As Acantholimon is a very difficult garden plant to germinate from seed it is recommended that seedlings be purchased from garden centers or nurseries.
Plant purchased plants about 8 to 12 cm (3 to 5 inches) apart in wall gaps. This can be done either after the last spring frost or in the Autumn.
Acantholimon Care: Prickly thrift plants prefers= strong light. They should be grown in sunny conditions in an alkaline soil that is gritty or sandy.
The plants grow very slowly and should be supplied with winter mulch.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow the Acantholimon Plant. You may also enjoy the following bulb growing guides: