If you are a gardener and you are
looking for attractive addition to your garden, then growing sea holly flowers
(Eryngium) is the right choice for you. Sea holly plants can actually provide
unique interest with their spiny-toothed leaves and clusters of teasel-like
blossoms. Sea holly plants also offer versatility with their wide range of
growing conditions and various uses in the garden.
Furthermore, the Sea holly plants also
known as Eryngium plants, really make striking additions to the garden. This plant
are mostly native to Europe and the Mediterranean, they generally grow anywhere
from eighteen to thirty-six inches (45-90 cm.) tall with about a one foot (30
cm.) spread. Their silvery-blue or green stems give way to blue or green cones
surrounded by spiky silver, green, white, blue or violet bracts, which bloom
from summer all through fall. These plants are tolerant of winds, drought, salt
sprays and sandy soils. The Sea holly plants can be used as specimen plantings,
in beds and borders, or butterfly gardens. The Sea holly plants make excellent
dried flowers.
The different types of sea holly flowers
Several species of Sea holly plants
have been cultivated as garden plants and they are widely available in most
nurseries. The following are some of the most common sea holly plants:
1. The Mediterranean Sea holly plant: This
plant is actually Native to Pyrenees, this particular variety can reach about
1-2 feet (30-60 cm.) and it consists of lively blue-green flowers with silver
bracts and white veins within its coarse, spiny leaves.
2. The flat sea holly plants: The flat
sea holly plant is another plant with heart-shaped basal leaves. The plant is
native to Eastern Europe and it can grow to about 2-3 feet (60-90 cm.) tall and
it produces numerous silver-blue flower heads.
3. The common sea holly plants: The
common sea holly plant is one of the smallest, growing from six inches to 1 ½ feet
(15-45 cm.) high.
4. The Amethyst sea holly plants: The
Amethyst sea holly plant is a European native that grows to about 1 ½ feet (45
cm.) tall. This plant really has beautiful amethyst blue flowers and a somewhat
straggling nature.
5. The Alpine sea holly plants: The
Alpine sea holly plant is native to alpine pastures of Switzerland, actually both
the flowers and stems of this plant are considered the bluest of the genus. This
plant can grow to about two feet (60 cm.) high, you will also find this plant at
its peak during July and August.
6. The giant sea holly plant: The giant
sea holly is also known as Miss Wilmot’s Ghost, the plant can grow from three
to four feet (90-120 cm.) or even higher. Though it may require staking, but is
heart-shaped leaves and large flowers are really worth the extra effort.
How to grow sea holly plants
Growing sea holly plants is very easy.
All the different types of the plant can thrive in full sun and moist soil with
good drainage. Indeed, the plants actually prefer sandy soil. The long taproot allows
the plant to really tolerate poor soil conditions and drought. Because of their
taproot, make sure you locate the plant somewhere permanent as they do not
transplant so easy. Make sure you place the young plants in holes that are a
few inches wider and deeper than their current root system. The seeds of the
plant can be sown directly in the garden, although they may not bloom the first
year. The seeds of the plant require a warm moist stratification for 1 month
followed by also 1 month of cold moist stratification.
How to care for sea holly plant
Actually sea holly plants are
relatively care-free once established. The plant does not require much in the
way of watering except during long droughts. The plant need to be fertilized. Actually
refraining from fertilization can keep the sea holly plants more compact and
less droopy. Also deadheading the sea holly plant should be part of the plant
care. You can pinch or cut off spent flowers in other to encourage additional
blooming. You can also cut off the flower stems once its blooming period ends
in autumn, however allow the evergreen leaves to remain.
The sea holly plant is a great plant
for difficult situations and ideal for attracting butterflies. The plant can
also deter deer if you plant them around your garden’s perimeter.
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