Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue'
(Sea Holly 'Big Blue')
Family - Apiaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - Raised at Myerscough College in Preston, Lancashire UK
Year of Introduction - 2008
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H5
Height - 75cm
Width - 45cm
Location - The East Border
Description: A clump-forming, herbaceous Perennial with an upright, branching habit and strong, thick stems. Dark green Basal Leaves are ovate to heart-shaped and are held in rosettes. Palmately-lobed stem leaves are silvery-green and held in opposite pairs up the stems. All leaves have spiny margins. Many small, individual flowers are deep blue and held in cylindrical umbels. Each umbel is subtended by a rigid collar of silvery-blue, spiny Bracts. The flowerheads are produced from mid to late summer on deep blue, branched stems. Excellent for use as cut flowers and drying. The Blooms are attractive to bees and butterflies.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Synonym - Eryngium 'Big Blue'
Flower:
Small, deep blue flowers are held in cylindrical umbels on vivid blue stems. Each flowerhead is subtended by a rigid collar of showy, silvery-blue bracts with spiny margins. The flowerheads are produced in July and August and can reach up to 10cm across.
Flower colour: Blue
Flower shape: Small flowers in cylindrical umbels
Flowering time: July, August
Foliage:
Dark green Basal Leaves are held in rosettes and are Cordate to ovate in shape. Silvery-green stem leaves are palmately-lobed and held in opposite pairs up the stems. All leaves have spiny margins.
Foliage Senescence: Semi-evergreen to deciduous
Foliage Shape: Ovate, cordate, palmately-lobed
Propagation:
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in well-drained soil. Avoid soil that sits wet during winter.
