Eryngium variifolium (Moroccan Sea Holly)
Moroccan Sea Holly, Variable-Leaved Sea Holly
Noted for its gorgeous marbled foliage and gray-blue flower heads, Eryngium variifolium (Moroccan Sea Holly) is an evergreen, rosette-forming perennial with branched, stiff, silvery-blue stems. In summer, the leafy stems boast thistle-like, blue-gray flower heads in branched clusters, each adorned with a spiky collar of pale blue bracts. The basal foliage of oval, tooth-edged, dark green leaves is marbled with white veins. Compact enough for the rock garden, sunny borders or containers, Moroccan Sea Holly is evergreen in warm winter climates.
- Grows in clumps of stiffly erect, branched stems up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm)
- Performs best in full sun in dry, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soils. Protect from winter wet. Drought tolerant.
- Excellent choice for sun baked, informal beds and borders or naturalistic plantings, where the steel blue flowers and foliage will superbly complement the vibrantly colored summer flowers. Ideal for small gardens. May be planted as a single specimen or in groupings. Perfect for cut or dried flower arrangements too!
- This plant transplants poorly and is best left undisturbed once established.
- Propagate by seed or 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 winter.
- Native to North Africa
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 | 5
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 5
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Eryngium - Sea Hollies |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 10" (25cm) |
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, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Small Gardens |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
By RukiMedia / 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 | 5
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 5
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Eryngium - Sea Hollies |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 10" (25cm) |
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, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Small Gardens |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |