You've got weevils.

I wonder if perhaps you had cutworm larvae. They change from a grub of about 1" to a pupa that looks like a redish-brown capsule with one end pointed into a grey-brown moth with red underwings. (I usually collect the critter, put it into a jar with some soil and plant material and see if I can't grow it to an adult if I can't identify it.) Or take the pest (in a sealed plastic bag) into a good nursery and ask them to identify it for you. It may mean you don't have to use pesticides that are harmful to the environment and the ecosystem, and may not be effective on that critter.

Yeah, 1-1 1/2 in. is too big for weevils.

Took a few of the grub things down to our Extension Office, where they id'ed them as Crane Fly larvae - said we have a perfect environment for them, and they love the roots of grass-like plants like Armeria.

Thanks for your help with this.
John

Didn't know European cranefly got into those, as well as turf grasses (lawns). Thrift (Armeria) is not related to grasses.

Maybe the craneflies don't know their botanical Latin? ;)

Armeria looks like grass......

I bet that is what is wrong with mine too. What is the control? I haven't had a problem in the lawn.

Except cranefly leatherjackets may not even have eyes. Since these also like it quite damp--if your lawn starts disappearing it is probably too wet anyway--and thrift is typical of a poverty situation (dry and well-drained) putting the thrift in a more suitable spot might leave the leatherjackets behind.