Eryngium amethystinum (Amethyst Sea Holly)
Extremely hardy, Eryngium amethystinum (Amethyst Sea Holly) is a compact perennial with a basal rosette of deeply cut, gray-green leaves, adorned with silver speckles and white veining. From mid to late summer, sturdy branching stems, tinged blue, bear small, thistle-like, blue-to-amethyst flower heads.
Extremely hardy, Eryngium amethystinum (Amethyst Sea Holly) is a compact perennial with a basal rosette of deeply cut, gray-green leaves, adorned with silver speckles and white veining. From mid to late summer, sturdy branching stems, tinged blue, bear small, thistle-like, blue-to-amethyst flower heads. Each flower head is surrounded by up-curving, silvery bracts. Attractive to bees and butterflies but deer resistant, this is a versatile plant, fitting well into the sunny border. Easier to grow than most, use it at the edge of a border, as a vertical accent or as a focal point.
- Grows in clumps of stiffly erect, branched stems up to 24 in. tall and wide (60 cm)
- Performs best in full sun in fairly dry, poor to moderately fertile well-drained soils. Drought and salt tolerant.
- 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 winter
- Watch for leaf and bud eelworms, powdery mildew and root rot.
- Native to the eastern Mediterranean
Requirements
Hardiness | 3 – 8 |
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Heat Zones | 1 – 8 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Eryngium – Sea Hollies |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
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 | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |