Eryngium alpinum Blue Star (Alpine Sea Holly)
Eryngium alpinum ‘Blue Star’ (Alpine Sea Holly) is an erect, herbaceous perennial with basal rosettes of heart-shaped, deeply toothed, glossy leaves. From mid-summer to early fall, sturdy leafy stems, tinged with gray blue, bear cone-shaped, thistle-like, silver-blue flower heads. Each flower head is surrounded by intricately cut, feather-like, soft bracts. Attractive to bees and butterflies but deer resistant, this is a versatile plant, fitting well into the sunny border.
Eryngium alpinum 'Blue Star' (Alpine Sea Holly) is an erect, herbaceous perennial with basal rosettes of heart-shaped, deeply toothed, glossy leaves. From mid-summer to early fall, sturdy leafy stems, tinged with gray blue, bear cone-shaped, thistle-like, silver-blue flower heads. Each flower head is surrounded by intricately cut, feather-like, soft bracts. Attractive to bees and butterflies but deer resistant, this is a versatile plant, fitting well into the sunny border.
- Grows in clumps of stiffly erect, branched stems up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 2 ft. wide (60 cm)
- Performs best in full sun in fairly dry, poor to moderately fertile well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade, poor soils, drought and salt.
- 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 in winter.
- Watch for leaf and bud eelworms, powdery mildew, and root rot.
- Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe
- Native to the Balkans
Requirements
Hardiness | 2 – 8 |
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Heat Zones | 6 – 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 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 (Mid,Late)Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
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 | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |