• Eryngium × zabelii &
  • Eryngium × zabelii &
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Eryngium × zabelii 'Big Blue'

Big Blue Sea Holly

£6.99
£6.99
Eryngium × zabelii 'Big Blue' dazzles with its large, electric-blue thistle-like flowers and spiky silver-green foliage, adding bold structure and texture to sunny borders.
  • Striking electric-blue flowers
  • Highly attractive to pollinators
  • Drought-resistant and low-maintenance
  • Excellent for fresh and dried flower arrangements
Size

    • Aspect

      Full sun

    • Hardiness

      Hardy

    • Flowers

      July, August

    • Soil type

      Well-drained, Sandy, Chalky, Loamy

    Eryngium × zabelii &
    Eryngium × zabelii &

    • Why we like this plant

      Eryngium × zabelii 'Big Blue' brings a dramatic, sculptural element to the garden with its dazzling blue blooms and spiky form. Its resilience to drought, poor soils, and wildlife make it a low-maintenance yet high-impact addition to borders, gravel gardens, and floral arrangements.

    • About this plant

      A standout in any garden, Eryngium × zabelii 'Big Blue' is prized for its vibrant, long-lasting metallic-blue flowerheads, which sit atop sturdy, silvery stems. The deeply serrated, spiky foliage provides striking contrast, making it a perfect choice for contemporary, prairie-style, and wildlife gardens. Flowering from mid to late summer, this drought-tolerant perennial attracts bees and butterflies while being highly resistant to deer and rabbits. It thrives in poor, well-drained soils and is an excellent choice for cut flowers, both fresh and dried.

    • Key features

      • Brilliant metallic-blue thistle-like flowers
      • Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
      • Drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soils
      • Architectural spiky foliage for added texture
      • Excellent for fresh and dried flower arrangements

    • Height and
      spread

    • Growth
      habit

      Upright, clump-forming

    • Moisture

      Prefers dry to moderately moist conditions; drought-tolerant once established

    • Position in
      the Garden

      Sunny borders, gravel gardens, coastal areas, and wildlife gardens

    Planting guide

    • Space plants about 30-45cm apart
    • Ensure well-draining soil to prevent root rot
    • Ideal for gravel gardens, coastal planting, and mixed borders

    Care tips

    • Plant in well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
    • Prefers full sun for best colour intensity
    • Avoid excessive fertiliser to maintain compact growth
    • Cut back after flowering to promote fresh growth

    Winter care

    • Leave seed heads for winter interest and wildlife
    • Mulch lightly in colder regions to protect roots
    • Cut back dead stems in early spring