{"product_id":"sea-holly-eryngium-planum","title":"Sea Holly - Eryngium planum","description":"\u003cp\u003eSea Holly (\u003cem\u003eEryngium planum\u003c\/em\u003e) is a spiky, architectural perennial about 50cm tall and wide, with silvery holly-like leaves and metallic blue flowerheads like small raspberries wrapped in a lacy ruff. They open in late spring and last through summer, then stand dried into autumn. It is cold hardy, drought tolerant and a magnet for pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue that stands out.\u003c\/strong\u003e Metallic blue flowerheads are rare in the garden, and they look sharp beside silver foliage and soft grasses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchitectural shape.\u003c\/strong\u003e Open, branching, thistle-like stems and spiky leaves give a mixed border structure all season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery cold hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It shrugs off hard frosts, so it works in cold districts where many perennials fail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought tolerant once mature.\u003c\/strong\u003e After the first season it copes with dry spells on very little water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood for pollinators and cut flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bees and butterflies visit the flowers, and the heads last well in a vase or dried.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMixed borders and cottage gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 50cm apart in drifts of three or five. The silver-blue colour pulls a border together and holds its shape long after other flowers have finished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrairie-style plantings.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set it among ornamental grasses, where its spiky texture contrasts with soft, flowing foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCut flowers and dried arrangements.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut the flowerheads in summer for a vase, or leave them to dry on the stem and enjoy them into autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Sea Holly in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun is essential. It is very cold hardy, so it is at its best in cool temperate, Mediterranean and warm temperate gardens with a distinct cold season. Winter wet is its enemy: in wet-winter regions plant it on a raised mound. We would not choose it for the humid tropics or subtropics, where summer humidity and wet soil make it hard to keep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant into free-draining soil. It will grow in moist soil, provided the ground dries out in winter. Poor, lean soil suits it better than rich ground, which makes it floppy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. After that it is drought tolerant. Feeding is rarely worthwhile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is deciduous, so cut the dead stems back in late winter and let new growth start from the base. Leave the dried flowerheads standing through autumn if you like the look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Sea Holly as tube stock (a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly) and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are the economical way to plant a border, and the 140mm pots give a more established clump. Expect a modest plant at first. It flowers better after it has been in the ground for a year or two, and it may look bare in winter because it is deciduous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/perennial-plants-for-a-cottage-garden\"\u003ePerennials for a cottage garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bee-and-butterfly-plants\"\u003ePlants for bees and butterflies\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/frost-hardy-plants\"\u003eFrost hardy plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003eDrought tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy has my sea holly not flowered?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants flower better once they have been in place for a year or two, so be patient. Full sun and lean, free-draining soil also help.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it die back in winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it is deciduous. The stems die down in the cooler months, so cut them back in late winter and expect fresh growth in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in clay?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly with care. It will grow in moist soil if the ground dries out in winter, but it hates winter wet around the roots, so raise the bed or add plenty of grit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787217174847,"sku":"ERY-PLA-tube","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67787217240383,"sku":"ERY-PLA-140MM-P10","price":191.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/sea-holly-eryngium-planum.jpg?v=1792152576","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/sea-holly-eryngium-planum","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}