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Eryngium bourgatii ‘Picos Blue’ (Mediterranean Sea Holly)

Mediterranean Sea Holly 'Picos Blue', Bourgati's Eryngo 'Picos Blue'

Eryngium Bourgatii 'Picos Blue', Mediterranean Sea Holly 'Picos Blue', Bourgati's Eryngo 'Picos Blue', Dry soils plants, Sandy soils plants, Blue flowers, Blue perennials

Eryngium bourgatii ‘Picos Blue’ (Mediterranean Sea Holly) is a lovely addition to the garden or mixed containers for various reasons. Unlike other species, its deeply lobed, dark green foliage, which appears before the flowers, is elegantly marbled with broad silvery-white veins, making it very attractive and luminous. In mid-late summer, its branched stems produce extraordinarily eye-catching, cone-like flowerheads with narrow, spiny, deep blue bracts that make wonderful additions to dried flower arrangements. The beautiful texture and unique color of this perennial plant, coupled with its long-lasting flowering, easy care, and remarkable qualities as cut flowers make it a favorite of gardeners. Bees and butterflies love them too!

  • Grows in clumps of stiffly erect, branched stems up to 18-20 in. tall (45-50 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 cm)
  • Thrives in full sun in dry, well-drained soils. The sunnier the site, the more intense the blue and the better protection from winter wet! Tolerates poor to moderately fertile soils.
  • Excellent choice for sun-baked beds and borders, containers, city gardens, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, and rock or gravel gardens, where the steel blue flowers and silvery foliage will superbly complement the vibrantly colored summer flowers and contrast. May be planted as a single specimen or in groupings (minimum 3 to 5 plants). Perfect for cut or dried flower arrangements.
  • Drought and rabbit resistant!
  • Propagate by root cuttings in late winter. Although you can cut back flower stems after flowering the seedheads are a very attractive feature so are usually left over in winter

 

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.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Apiaceae
Genus Eryngium
Common names Mediterranean Sea Holly, Sea Holly
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" - 15"
(30cm - 40cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
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Eryngium (Sea Holly)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Eryngium leavenworthii (False Purple Thistle)
Eryngium x oliverianum (Oliver Sea Holly)
Eryngium planum ‘Blue Cap’ (Flat Sea Holly)
Eryngium alpinum (Alpine Sea Holly)
Eryngium alpinum ‘Blue Star’ (Alpine Sea Holly)
Eryngium pandanifolium (Giant Sea Holly)

Recommended Companion Plants

Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted Hair Grass)
Lysimachia punctata (Yellow Loosestrife)
Achillea ‘Terracotta’ (Yarrow)
Echinops ritro ‘Veitch’s Blue’ (Globe Thistle)
Achillea ‘Moonshine’ (Yarrow)
Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)
Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ (Lavender)
Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)

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Eryngium (Sea Holly)
Eryngium bourgatii (Mediterranean Sea Holly)
Eryngium planum (Flat Sea Holly)
Learn How To Plant, Care, and Grow Spectacular Sea Holly (Eryngium)
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Apiaceae
Genus Eryngium
Common names Mediterranean Sea Holly, Sea Holly
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" - 15"
(30cm - 40cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Eryngium (Sea Holly)
Not sure which Eryngium (Sea Holly) to pick?
Compare Now

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