- Botanical name: Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue'
- Common name: Sea holly
- Family: Apiaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Blue
Silver
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
- Prefers rich soil
Eryngiums make a striking addition to dry, sunny borders and gravel gardens. They have thistle-like flowers, made up of tiny flowers packed together in a tight cluster, surrounded by a ruff of spiny bracts. The flowerheads last well when cut and can also be dried.
Eryngium x zabelii ‘Big Blue’ bears huge cones surrounded by ruff of long and spiky bracts. Flowers are a particularly dense blue colour, which contrast beautifully with the grey-green leaves. It’s perfect for growing in sunny, well-drained borders, especially in informal and wild gardens, where the blooms will attract masses of bees.
For best results grow Eryngium x zabelii ‘Big Blue’ in free-draining soil, in a sunny position. In colder climates you may need to protect the roots with a mulch of straw, and tidy spent foliage in spring to prevent rot.
How to grow Eryngium 'Big Blue'
-
Plant size
100cm height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Eryngium 'Big Blue' and wildlife
Eryngium 'Big Blue' is known for attracting bees, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Eryngium 'Big Blue' poisonous?
Eryngium 'Big Blue' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Eryngium 'Big Blue'
