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

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