Eryngium bourgatii Picos Blue (Mediterranean Sea Holly)

Eryngium bourgatii ‘Picos Blue’ (Mediterranean Sea Holly) is a lovely addition to the garden or mixed containers for various reasons. Unlike other species, its deeply lobed, dark green foliage, which appears before the flowers, is elegantly marbled with broad silvery-white veins, making it very attractive and luminous.

Eryngium bourgatii 'Picos Blue' (Mediterranean Sea Holly) is a lovely addition to the garden or mixed containers for various reasons. Unlike other species, its deeply lobed, dark green foliage, which appears before the flowers, is elegantly marbled with broad silvery-white veins, making it very attractive and luminous. In mid-late summer, its branched stems produce extraordinarily eye-catching, cone-like flowerheads with narrow, spiny, deep blue bracts that make wonderful additions to dried flower arrangements. The beautiful texture and unique color of this perennial plant, coupled with its long-lasting flowering, easy care, and remarkable qualities as cut flowers make it a favorite of gardeners. Bees and butterflies love them too!

  • Grows in clumps of stiffly erect, branched stems up to 18-20 in. tall (45-50 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 cm)
  • Thrives in full sun in dry, well-drained soils. The sunnier the site, the more intense the blue and the better protection from winter wet! Tolerates poor to moderately fertile soils.
  • Excellent choice for sun-baked beds and borders, containers, city gardens, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, and rock or gravel gardens, where the steel blue flowers and silvery foliage will superbly complement the vibrantly colored summer flowers and contrast. May be planted as a single specimen or in groupings (minimum 3 to 5 plants). Perfect for cut or dried flower arrangements.
  • Drought and rabbit resistant!
  • Propagate by root cuttings in late winter. Although you can cut back flower stems after flowering the seedheads are a very attractive feature so are usually left over in winter

Requirements

Hardiness 4
– 9

Heat Zones 5
– 9

Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Eryngium – Sea Hollies
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Height 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spread 10"
– 1'
(25cm
– 30cm)
Spacing 12″
– 15″
(30cm
– 37cm)
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, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Salt
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden