Eryngium alpinum (Alpine Sea Holly)

Highly ornamental, Eryngium alpinum (Alpine Sea Holly) is an attractive upright perennial with basal rosettes of heart-shaped, deeply toothed, glossy leaves. From mid-summer to early fall, sturdy leafy stems, tinged with soft blue to steel blue, bear cone-shaped, thistle-like, purplish-blue flower heads.

Highly ornamental, Eryngium alpinum (Alpine Sea Holly) is an attractive upright perennial with basal rosettes of heart-shaped, deeply toothed, glossy leaves. From mid-summer to early fall, sturdy leafy stems, tinged with soft blue to steel blue, bear cone-shaped, thistle-like, purplish-blue flower heads. Each flower head is surrounded by intricately cut, feather-like, soft blue 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 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

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