Eryngium bourgatii
Mediterranean sea holly
A herbaceous perennial to 45cm tall, with deeply lobed and silver-veined leaves, and vivid blue, branched stems bearing cone-like flower-heads with narrow, spiny, usually silvery-blue or violet bracts
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
ExposedDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Eryngium can be annuals, biennials or perennials with simple or divided leaves, often spiny edged, and cone-like flower-heads often surrounded by an involucre of conspicuous spiny bracts
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Pyrenees to Morocco
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in dry, well-drained soil that is poor to moderately fertile. Full sun is essential as is protection from winter wet
Propagation
Propagate by root cuttings in late winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Rock garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Although you can cut back flower stems after flowering the seedheads are a very attractive feature so are usually left over winter
Pests
May be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, and slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.