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Eryngium zabelii 'Big Blue' (Sea holly 'Big Blue')
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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 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 zabelii 'Big Blue' is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Blue in Summer
Foliage
White, Veined, Silvery-grey, Green 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 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 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
White, Veined, Silvery-grey, Green 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 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... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Created by garden designer Charlie Hartigan of Envisage Gardens, 1 in 10 garden at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show 2019 was designed as part of the RHS Young Designer of the Year competition. read more
2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in 1616. Hampton Court Palace and Shakespeare share a rich history together so where better to celebrate Shakespeare’s talent as… read more
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Eryngium zabelii 'Big Blue'
There are 4 active discussions about Eryngium zabelii 'Big Blue' (Sea holly 'Big Blue')
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