Frankenia laevis

A remarkable carpeting or cushion plant that roots as it goes along. Able to withsatnd some foot traffic too!

In winter it changes from its cheerful green with pink, petite blooms and takes on lovely purple-reddish tones. Sea heath, a low appressed shrub in the family Frankeniaceae. SW Europe, Britain to northwestern Africa, including Macaronesia (a collection of four volcanic archipelagos in the North Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of North Africa and Europe which I had to look up). A garrigue specialist. Lovely plant with starry bright pink flowers and tiny little leaves. Rare but so hardy. This plant is discussed in the flora of Corsica, in the north at Cap Corse, where it survives on granite rocks sprayed by the sea in the incessant winds.  A bit further up you will find the Balearic eurphorbia, E. pithyusa which is as tough as old boots. I’m now growing them together now.  Information from “Bring the Mediterranean in to your garden” by Olivier Filippi. 5-10cm H, spreads happily.

Watering every now and then in summer keeps it leafy, but if it gets droughty, it sheds its leaves and will regrow when it is rehydrated. While it has been used as a lawn substitute, weeds do penetrate it, mind you they do in a normal lawn! Salt resistant. It can of course be planted with erigerons, smaller alliums, centaurea or extend the crapet look with thymes.