Bring a splash of colors to your garden with the Best Eryngium Varieties. Get started with our comprehensive guide.
Discover the beauty and diversity of Eryngium, also known as Sea Holly, with our guide to the Best Eryngium Varieties. From their spiky, vibrant blooms to their unique textures, explore the different Types of Sea Holly that will add charm and interest to your garden.
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Best Eryngium Varieties
1. Blue Hobbit
Botanical Name: Eryngium planum ‘Blue Hobbit’
USDA Zones: 4-8
Height and Spread: 12 and 12 inches
Blue Hobbit is a compact sea holly that features thimble-like flowerheads and short bracts on branching stems. It displays a rich steel blue color during mid to late summer.
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2. Big Blue
Botanical Name: Eryngium × zabelii ‘Big Blue’
USDA Zones: 5-9
Height and Spread: 30 and 12 inches
Eryngium × zabelii ‘Big Blue’ is an exceptional blue sea holly variety, recognized with the prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
3. Oliver Sea Holly
Botanical Name: Eryngium x oliverianum
USDA Zones: 4-8
Height and Spread: 3 and 2 feet
E. x oliverianum is an excellent sea holly variety that is ideal for cutting and drying. Its flower heads can also be left on the border to provide structure during winter.
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4. Tripartite Sea Holly
Botanical Name: Eryngium × tripartitum
USDA Zones: 5-9
Height and Spread: 2 and 1 foot
It is delicate sea holly with slender stems, small egg-shaped flower heads, and spike bracts. The plant pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses.
5. Silver Ghost
Botanical Name: Eryngium giganteum ‘Silver Ghost’
USDA Zones: 4-7
Height and Spread: 3 and 1 feet
Silver Ghost is a captivating self-sowing biennial sea holly that adds a touch of silver sparkle to any garden. It thrives in well-drained soil.
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6. Sea Eryngo
Botanical Name: Eryngium maritimum
USDA Zones: 5-9
Height and Spread: 18 and 24 inches
This sea holly features soft violet-blue flowerheads and waxy blue-grey foliage with spiked edges. It pairs beautifully with poppies.
7. Queen of the Alps
Botanical Name: Eryngium alpinum
USDA Zones: 3-8
Height and Spread: 31 and 18 inches
If you desire a plant with stunning ruffs, the alpine eryngium is among the most fluffy and enchanting options. Its cone flowerheads showcase shades of blue and purple.
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8. Moroccan Sea Holly
Botanical Name: Eryngium variifolium
USDA Zones: 5-9
Height and Spread: 18 and 12 inches
Moroccan sea holly, is native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Its frosted foliage, with green color and grey-white veins, creates a silver-sprinkled effect.
9. Violetta
Botanical Name: Eryngium x zabelii ‘Violetta’
USDA Zones: 5-9
Height and Spread: 27 and 15 inches
ts spiny silver-green leaves add to its appeal. This sea holly pairs well with verbena in well-drained soil and creates a dramatic display.
10. Mediterranean Sea Holly
Botanical Name: Eryngium bourgatii ‘Picos Amethyst’
USDA Zones: 5-8
Height and Spread: 22 and 4 inches
With white-veined leaves, steely blue flowers, and rich maroon stems, it offers a captivating display. This sea holly is a favorite among pollinators.
11. Giant Physic Purple
Botanical Name: Eryngium pandanifolium ‘Physic Purple’
USDA Zones: 5-9
Height and Spread: 8 and 5 feet
This architectural plant features spiky sword-like glaucous leaves and branching stems that rise above, adorned with plum-colored thimble-like flowers.
12. Agave-leaves Sea Holly
Botanical Name: Eryngium agavifolium
USDA Zones: 5-9
Height and Spread: 5 and 2 feet
Also popular as agave-leaved sea holly, is a nectar-rich species native to Argentina that attracts pollinators. It showcases cream flower cones on sturdy stems.
13. Jade Frost
Botanical Name: Eryngium planum ‘Jade Frost’
USDA Zones: 4-8
Height and Spread: 30 and 12 inches
It features small thistle-like silver summer flowers that transition to azure-purple, held by violet stems. The plant grows best in full sun.
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14. Rattlesnake Master
Botanical Name: Eryngium yuccifolium
USDA Zones: 3-8
Height and Spread: 4 and 2 feet
The plant features clusters of small lime-ivory flowerheads above sword-shaped grey-green leaves during summer and early fall.
15. Ivory Sea Holly
Botanical Name: Eryngium eburneum
USDA Zones: 5-9
Height and Spread: 4 and 2 feet
With airy green-white flower thimbles spaced like an atomic model atop tall stems, this variety showcases an attractive mass of long, slender green leaves.