Sign In 
Get Premium Mediterranean Sea Holly
(Eryngium bourgatii)
Mediterranean Sea Holly (Eryngium bourgatii)
/
/
fjseb from flickr
CC BY 2.0
Image By:
fjseb from flickr
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: fjseb from flickr | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 | Uploader: Guérin Nicolas | Publisher: Wikipedia Commons |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Eryngium bourgatii, commonly known as Mediterranean Sea Holly, is a perennial herb native to rocky and dry grasslands in the Mediterranean region, from the Pyrenees to Morocco. It typically grows to a height of 15–45 cm (6–18 inches). This plant is characterized by its striking spherical blue flowerheads, which are surrounded by spiny bracts, and blooms from mid to late summer. The flowers are highly ornamental and are known for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Mediterranean Sea Holly is valued for its unique appearance, with its metallic blue flowers and bracts adding a touch of drama to garden borders and gravel gardens. It is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and gardens with poor, well-drained soils. It is also used in fresh and dried floral arrangements. Cultivation requires full sun exposure and soils with good drainage to prevent root rot. Overwatering should be avoided. ’Oxford Blue’, a popular cultivar, has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its garden performance. While generally disease-resistant, Eryngium bourgatii can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils and may suffer from slug and snail damage.CC BY-SA 4.0
Mediterranean Sea Holly is valued for its unique appearance, with its metallic blue flowers and bracts adding a touch of drama to garden borders and gravel gardens. It is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and gardens with poor, well-drained soils. It is also used in fresh and dried floral arrangements. Cultivation requires full sun exposure and soils with good drainage to prevent root rot. Overwatering should be avoided. ’Oxford Blue’, a popular cultivar, has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its garden performance. While generally disease-resistant, Eryngium bourgatii can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils and may suffer from slug and snail damage.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Blue, Purple
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
native to rocky and dry grasslands in the Mediterranean region, from the Pyrenees to Morocco
Other Names
Common Names: Plains Eryngo
Scientific Names: , Eryngium bourgatii, Eryngium amethysteum, Eryngium bourgatii var. pyranaicum,
GBIF Accepted Name: Eryngium bourgatii Gouan