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Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' (Sea holly 'Big Blue')
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.8m
Max height
Max height
0.45m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue'
Other names
Sea holly 'Big Blue', Eryngium 'Big Blue'
Genus
Eryngium Eryngium
Variety or Cultivar
'Big Blue' _ 'Big Blue' is an upright, clump-forming, deciduous perennial with spiky, deeply divided, silvery grey-green, leaves and, in summer, stiff, branched stems bearing cone-shaped, blue flowerheads surrounded by prominent, spiny, silvery-blue bracts.
Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Blue in Summer
Foliage
Veined, Silvery-grey, Green, White in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Leaf and bud eelworms Leaf and bud eelworms
Foot and root rot , Powdery mildew Foot and root rot , Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Cut back flower stems after flowering, or leave seedheads for winter interest.
Propagation methods
Root cuttings
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Where to grow
Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' (Sea holly 'Big Blue') will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.45m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Coastal, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Gravel, Prairie planting, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Drought tolerant once established. Does not tolerate shade or winter wet.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue'
Other names
Sea holly 'Big Blue', Eryngium 'Big Blue'
Genus
Eryngium Eryngium
Variety or Cultivar
'Big Blue' _ 'Big Blue' is an upright, clump-forming, deciduous perennial with spiky, deeply divided, silvery grey-green, leaves and, in summer, stiff, branched stems bearing cone-shaped, blue flowerheads surrounded by prominent, spiny, silvery-blue bracts.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Blue in Summer
Foliage
Veined, Silvery-grey, Green, White in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
Foot and root rot , Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Cut back flower stems after flowering, or leave seedheads for winter interest.
Propagation methods
Root cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' (Sea holly 'Big Blue') will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.45m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Coastal, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Gravel, Prairie planting, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Drought tolerant once established. Does not tolerate shade or winter wet.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Eryngium zabelii 'Big Blue'
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