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Buy Eryngium alpinum

Also Known As

Alpine Sea Holly

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 2'-3'
W: 1'-2'

planting zones

6a-9b

3x5 inch pot | $14

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Fewer than 20 at Secret Garden Growers

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Eryngium alpinum plant details

Eryngium alpinum is a broadleaf deciduous or semi-evergreen perennial with green foliage. In summer blue and purple flowers emerge. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, gritty, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Eryngium alpinum

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: apiaceae
Foliage: deciduous or semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 2 FT - 3 FT - tall
Flowers: blue and purple blooms in summer
Uses: compact, exotic, rock garden, spiky

GROWING CONDITIONS for Eryngium alpinum

USDA Zones: 6a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit
Soil needs: average, gritty, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Critter resistant perennial with everlasting type flowers from basal rosettes of stiff leaves in mid- summer on 18-24” stems; small cone shaped domes are surrounded by architectural, pokey, silvery-blue bracts that are very showy. Great pollinator plant, drought resistant, full sun, decent soil drainage.

By: Secret Garden Growers

A blooming specimen of this sea holly is a sight to behold. Very ornamental steely-blue-purple thistle-like flowers on 2-3' stems have a pretty and spiny ruff - the floral equivalent of excitement. Clumping perennial. Minimum temperature: -10°F

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

This is the largest flowering sea holly and definitely the most dramatic. Gun metal blue stems and equally blue thistle-like flowers with a conical flowerhead and intricate, feathery bracts. Graham Stuart Thomas rates this species "exceptional" in beauty and as a garden plant. No need to disagree! This peculiar genus from the carrot family is found around the world but with its centre of diversity in South America. There are also a number of European species.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Compact and attractive, small, sea holly with leaves painted silver in intriguing patterns and, in mid summer, cream to steely blue flowers, thistle-like and strange, as if made of industrial steel. To 18 tall and spreading more widely. Though looking very like a dryland plant, these are quite happy in poorly drained soils and prefer regular summer water in almost full sun. Best left undisturbed after planting. Frost hardy to at least USDA zone 5.