Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by Stan Shebs

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

Show all photos

Eryngium alternatum

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 5'
W: 3'

planting zones

7a-10b

Eryngium alternatum plant details

Eryngium alternatum is a broadleaf evergreen perennial with green foliage. In summer blue and silver flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Eryngium alternatum

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: apiaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT wide, 5 FT tall
Flowers: blue and silver blooms in summer
Uses: spiky

GROWING CONDITIONS for Eryngium alternatum

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular

Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

So super huge, this Eryngium's common name should be "Ginormous Sea Holly". Growing to an impressive 5' tall & 3' wide, it's a showstopper. Bees adore its 2" long domes of purple flowery goodness, which also makes extraordinary fresh or dried cut flowers. Native to Mexico's high mountain tropics, E. alternatum loves coastal California's cool & foggy climate. Standout spiky & striped foliage makes this an awesome drought tolerant attention grabbing focal point plant. Thrives in poor, dry, well-drained soil. If you're reading this sign in the nursery, it's your lucky day! We're only able to offer small quantities of this mega-rare rock star.