Eryngium amethystinum (Amethyst Sea Holly)

Extremely hardy, Eryngium amethystinum (Amethyst Sea Holly) is a compact perennial with a basal rosette of deeply cut, gray-green leaves, adorned with silver speckles and white veining. From mid to late summer, sturdy branching stems, tinged blue, bear small, thistle-like, blue-to-amethyst flower heads. Each flower head is surrounded by up-curving, silvery bracts. Attractive to bees and butterflies but deer resistant, this is a versatile plant, fitting well into the sunny border. Easier to grow than most, use it at the edge of a border, as a vertical accent or as a focal point.

• Grows in clumps of stiffly erect, branched stems up to 24 in. tall and wide (60 cm)
• Performs best in full sun in fairly dry, poor to moderately fertile well-drained soils. Drought and salt tolerant.
• Excellent choice for gravel gardens, cottage gardens and coastal gardens. May be planted as a single specimen or in groupings. Perfect for cut or dried flower arrangements too!
• Although you can cut back flower stems after flowering the seedheads are a very attractive feature so are usually left over winter
• Watch for leaf and bud eelworms, powdery mildew and root rot.
• Native to the eastern Mediterranean