Eryngium (Sea Holly)
Eryngium alpinum, Eryngium amesthystinum, Eryingium bourgatii, Eryngium giganteum, Eryngium maritimum, Eryngium pandanifolium, Eryngium planum, eryngium variifolium, Eryngium x oliverianum, Eryngium x tripartitum, Eryngium x zabelii, Eryngium yuccifolium (Eryngium)
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Attractive, Sea Holly plants (Eryngium) are striking ornamental perennials grown for their arresting, thistle-like, silvery or blue tinted flower heads adorned with a ruff of showy bracts. Blooming in summer and sometimes into fall, they are useful in rock gardens, coastal gardens and in borders where their steel blue flowers and foliage complement the vibrantly colored summer flowers.
- Their beautiful texture, unique color, long-lasting flowering and remarkable qualities as cut flowers make them a favorite of florists, gardeners, bees and butterflies. They are exceptionally care-free plants if they are given a well-chosen site.
- With a trend toward drier summers, Eryngium has become even more popular. Easy to please, even in dry gardens where other border stalwarts suffer, Eryngium goes from strength to strength over the entire summer, complimenting every other plants with its silvery or metallic blue flower heads.
- Drought tolerant, Sea Holly also handles salt spray with ease.
Learn How To Plant, Care, and Grow Spectacular Sea Holly (Eryngium)
Attractive, Sea Holly plants (Eryngium) are striking ornamental perennials grown for their arresting, thistle-like, silvery or blue tinted flower heads adorned with a ruff of showy bracts. Blooming in summer and sometimes into fall, they are exceptionally care-free plants if they are given a well-chosen site. Here are some basic rules that need to be followed to enjoy their splendid flowers.
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- Easy to grow, Eryngium prefers full sun - at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The sunnier the site, the more intense the blue!
- Eryngium prefers dry, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soils with the exception of Eryngium pandanifolium (Giant Sea Holly) which prefers moist soils.
- Most Sea Holly species are reliably perennial in Hardiness Zones 4 - 9. Exceptionally hardy, Eryngium alpinum is perennial in Zone 2. Eryngium amethystinum and Eryngium yuccifolium are perennial in Zones 3. Not sure about your growing zone? Check here.
- Eryngium needs winter protection and a warm site in order to allow the rosettes to overwinter successfully, otherwise these plants use up all their energy replacing foliage.
- Eryngium is a taprooted plant that transplants poorly and is best left undisturbed once established. Select your site carefully!
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- Eryngium plants are relatively care-free once established.
- Sea Holly plants do not require much watering except during long periods of drought.
- Sea Holly plants do not require fertilization either. They may sprawl if grown in overly fertile soils.
- Deadheading will promote additional blooming.
- Sea Holly is popular with bees and butterflies, but not with deer and rabbits.
- Eryngium combines beautifully with many companion plants, including Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena), Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage), Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii' (Monkshood) or the glorious Echinacea (Coneflower).
- The blues and silvers blend well with most colors and create a bold statement with yellow and orange annuals or perennial plants such as Rudbeckia, Coreopsis, Zinnia, and Cosmos.
- Eryngium looks great in combination with ornamental grasses, the pairing creating a strong textural contrast. Molinia caerulea (Moor Grass), Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue Oat Grass), Stipa gigantea or Stipa tenuissima are good possibilities.
Click here to find Pretty Garden Ideas with Eryngium
Guide Information
| Hardiness |
2 - 10
|
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 12
|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Eryngium - Sea Hollies |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer Fall |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Salt |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders |
| Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Compare All Eryngium - Sea Hollies Great Plant Combination
Ideas with Eryngium - Sea Hollies Guides with Eryngium - Sea Hollies
Garden Examples
By Ulrike Adam / Shutterstock, (c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Guide Information
| Hardiness |
2 - 10
|
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 12
|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Eryngium - Sea Hollies |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer Fall |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Salt |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders |
| Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Compare All Eryngium - Sea Hollies Great Plant Combination
Ideas with Eryngium - Sea Hollies Guides with Eryngium - Sea Hollies
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