15 Best Eryngium Varieties | Types of Sea Holly

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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

Eryngium Varieties 1

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

Eryngium Varieties 3

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

Eryngium Varieties 5
reddit

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

carboncini

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

Eryngium Varieties 7
clamattiauda

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

Eryngium Varieties 9

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

Eryngium Varieties 11
sam_geoghegan

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

plantsman.z6

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

Eryngium Varieties 13

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

woodsideplants

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

Eryngium Varieties 15
bethan_gardener

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.

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