Eryngium zabelii 'Big Blue'

Big Blue Sea Holly is a spectacular sea holly with electric steel-blue flowers on sturdy blue stems. Its tiny blue flowers are packed into large, egg-shaped heads that are surrounded by a sculptural, spiky collar of blue bracts. Foliage is unique, spiny-margined, and silvery green. The blue colour extends to stems and upper leaves as the flower matures. Big Blue Sea Holly has the most intense flower and bract colour when grown in  full sunlight, and exposed to cool nights.

Eryngium zabelii 'Big Blue' is a clump-forming, thistle-like hybrid that has beautiful texture, and grows up to 2.5 feet in height and 1.5 feet in width. It can be grown easily in a wide variety of well-drained soils under full sun. It is tolerant of drought. Big Blue Eryngo spreads very slowly; therefore, to create a great mass effect in your garden, plant 3 to 5 plants at a spacing of 2 ft. This Blue Eryngium has a taproot, so does not transplant well. It is better left undisturbed once established.

Big Blue Sea Holly can be used beautifully in combination with Russian Sage; they both require similar growing conditions. Sea Holly starts to bloom in July and continues to September, while Russian Sage flowers early August to September. So, this combination can provide a display of lavender-blue flowers all summer long. Big Blue Eryngo flowers are perfect for cut or dried flower arrangements. It is an ideal specimen plant and can be used in mass planting and borders. Salt tolerant, it is well suited for coastal gardens as well as roadside landscapes. It is deer resistant and has no serious insect or disease problems. Eryngium zabelii 'Big Blue' attracts bees and butterflies.