Eryngium amethystinum (Amethyst Sea Holly)
Amethyst Sea Holly, Amethyst Eryngo, Italian Eryngo
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
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.Read More
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Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Eryngium - Sea Hollies |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
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, Dry Soil, Salt |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
By Nikolina Mrakovic /Shutterstock
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.
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Eryngium - Sea Hollies |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
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, Dry Soil, Salt |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |