Eryngium variifolium (Moroccan 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