It is chosen for its rusticity as well for its so particular colour, purplish blue with metallic reflections, quite uncommon among the garden plants. It is cultivated in groups of more specimens or in combination with other perennial herbaceous plants of contrasting colour, for a best exploitation of its peculiar characteristics of shape and colour. Wildlife Garden: If your aim is to attract and support wildlife, Eryngium is a great choice. Plant them with other nectar-rich plants to create a buffet for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Lavender: The silver-blue color of many Eryngium varieties complements the color of lavender flowers beautifully. They also both enjoy full sun and well-drained soil. The basal leaves have undivided edge, triangular cordate, of soft consistency. They are long pedunculated, 5-20 cm broad and 15-25 cm long. The margins, of bright green colour, are irregularly toothed, with weak spines on the apices. 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! It thrives in full sun and poor sandy soils. Deep-rooted, wind resistant and drought tolerant once established.The bracts of the involucre, 12 to 20, have a radial symmetry and rigid consistency. They are bipinnatifid, with spinescent lobes. Zinnia: Zinnias are vibrant annuals that bloom heavily from summer to frost. They come in a multitude of colors and can add a pop to any garden. Like Cosmos, they grow fairly tall and attract butterflies, making them a wonderful companion for Eryngium. The inflorescences are dense umbels at the top of the main branches. They are bright green at the bases and the stiff, bristly bracts are blue. They are about 4cm long and 2cm diameter and the bracts are up to 25 centimetres (9.8in) long. [2] The flowers inside are about 2mm long. The peripheral flowers are sterile and the internal flowers are hermaphroditic. Both types are actinomorphic and pentamerous, with five petals. Flowering occurs in July through September. [2] The flowers are -insect-pollinated. The fruit is a spiny achene about half a centimeter wide. [2] Distribution and habitat [ edit ] The stems are glabrous, erect, ramified in the upper part, of bluish green colour. In the central part they have some longitdinal violaceous striations. The fruit is an ovoid spinescent achene of 4-6 mm. The root system is taprooted, deep, compact, well developped. The blooming occurs between July and September. The pollination is entomophilic, that is entrusted to the insects.

Ornamental Grasses: The spiky form of Eryngium contrasts well with the flowing, feathery forms of ornamental grasses. Try Panicum, Stipa, or Miscanthus for an interesting textural contrast.

Sea Holly has a unique texture and color that can contrast beautifully with many different types of plants. Here are some suggestions for companion plants: Eryngium giganteum– Caucasus – The cylindrical capitula, up to 6 cm long, bloom in summer. The flowers, of pale green colour, while opening, become then steel blue. The bracts, up to 6 cm long, of silvery grey colour, have spiny margins. They have the same exigencies as the previous species. The variety ‘Silver Ghost’ has narrow bracts of silvery colour. Grows in clumps of stiffly erect, branched stems up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 2 ft. wide (60 cm) Modern and Architectural Gardens: Sea Holly’s structural form works well in contemporary, minimalist garden designs. Pair them with other architectural plants like agaves or tall grasses, or use them to add texture to a garden full of sleek, smooth-leaved plants.

Eryngium bourgatii is a dwarf form with silvery blue leaves and strong stems of dark steel-blue flowers. Available from Gardening Express. Good cultivars include 'Picos Blue'. Drought-tolerant Perennials: If you’re gardening in a dry area, pair Eryngium with other drought-tolerant plants like Agastache, Perovskia (Russian Sage), or Penstemon. Salvia: With their spires of flowers, salvias can echo the form of Eryngium but provide a softer texture. Look for varieties with purple or blue flowers for a cool-colored theme, or contrast with red or pink varieties.Wild populations of the species are in decline due to overcollection for ornamental use and habitat degradation from recreational activity and grazing. Numerous local extinctions of subpopulations have occurred. [5] Gallery [ edit ]

Eryngium, commonly known as Sea Holly, is a diverse genus of 250 species distributed across the world, from the Americas to Europe and Asia, as well as parts of Africa. Hardiness: Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!, H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10°C) Eryngium 'Blue Steel' produces cones of tiny blue flowers surrounded by a spiky collar. Height to 36in (90cm), spread 18in (45cm). Available from Thompson & Morgan, Van Meuwen.Eryngium prefers dry, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soils except for Eryngium pandanifolium (Giant Sea Holly), which prefers moist soils. The species has become extremely rare, even under risk of extinction in some locations, due to its beauty and the consequent indiscriminate collection. Aphids: Like many garden plants, Eryngium can be affected by aphids. These small, soft-bodied insects feed on the sap of plants and can weaken them over time. They’re usually found on new growth or the undersides of leaves. Sow seed under glass when ripe or in early spring. Alternatively increase from root cuttings in midwinter or strike cuttings in spring using a propagator.