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Growing Sea Holly: A Beginner’s Guide to a Unique Garden Addition

If you ’re on the lookout for a flora that ’s both unusual and eye - catching for your garden , sea Buddy Holly ( Eryngium ) might just be the competitor you ’re look for .

With its striking ice - down flowers and bristled - toothed leaves , ocean holly plants add a unique texture and color that can bring up the ocular interest of any garden outer space . Not only is it a standout esthetically , but it ’s also known for its hardihood and simplicity of attention .

Here ’s a colloquial templet to help you rise and nurture your very own sea holly , turning your garden into a conversation starter among your friends and neighbors .

Blue sea holly close up, text overly reads: How to grow Sea Holly, learn how here

What is Eryngium?

Before we dive into the how - to ’s , allow ’s get acquainted with sea holly . genus Eryngium is a perennial works , meaning it comes back year after class , which is always a win in my book .

Its distinctive lineament is its blade grim flowers ( they look like blue cones ) and bracts , which are in reality modified leave that resemble petals , wall the flower heads .

Note : Sea Holly flowers also comes in blanched .

Flowers and bracts of sea holly, Eryngium x zabelii variety Big Blue

These plants are not only a optic treat but are also magnet for pollinators like bee and butterflies . So , by adding eryngiums to your garden , you ’re also stick out the local ecosystem .

In my garden the range of pollinator attracted to the Sea Holly was amazing , I saw bugs that I have never spotted on any other efflorescence .

Choosing the Right Spot

Sea holly thrives in full sun and well - drain territory . It ’s a plant that bang the sunbathe life , so the more sunshine , the better .

When choosing a spot in your garden , look for an area that gets at least six hour of direct sunlight daily .

With their long taproot sea holly is quite drouth - tolerant once established , making it perfect for cheery and dry stain where other plant might struggle . They also function well in a rock garden .

Ornamental sea holly (probably Eryngium giganteum variety silver ghost) in flower surrounded by other plants.

Soil Prep and Planting

When it comes to soil , ocean holly is n’t too picky , but it does honorable in well - drained soil . In fact , it seems to eff arenaceous soil .

If you have heavy clay stain , consider conflate in some grit or gravel to better drain . Or embed this on a mound of well drain soil .

This plant does not like wet animal foot , so good drain is central to maintain it happy and healthy .

Eryngium oliverianum Sea Holly flower, blue plant close up in the garden

you may plant sea holly from seeds or nursery - grow plants . If starting from seeds , sow in them directly in your garden after the last frost , or start them indoors about 8 - 10 weeks before the last frost escort .

For nursery plants , just plant them at the same depth they were in their pots . place the plants about 18 - 24 inch apart to give them room to grow and spread . They are usually available spare - root as well .

For more industrial plant , you’re able to also easily settle down cuttings from ocean holly .

Closeup of Eryngium sea holly bracts and flower buds in a garden

Watering and Care

Once establish , sea holly is quite low-toned - upkeep . water supply the plant regularly during the first growing season to help them lay down a robust beginning system .

After that , they are remarkably drought - patient of . However , in extremely dry and sunny conditions , they ’ll appreciate a potable to keep them look their good .

Fertilizing is n’t usually necessary , especially if you ’re starting withgood soil . If you want to give your plant life a little boost , you canadd a level of compostaround the base in the bound .

bright blue sea holly flowers

Pests and Problems

One of the great things about sea holly is that it ’s relatively pest and disease - free . on occasion , you might see aphids or other common garden pests , but these can be easily contend with a flak of water from the hosiery or an software of insecticidal max .

One caution to this , I have receive that gophers LOVE to eat Sea Holly so plan accordingly if you struggle with the varmints . I now plant mine in protected raised beds or gopher batting cage .

Enjoying the Blooms

Sea holly typically blossom in the summer , add together a splash of color to your garden when many other plant life commence to slice . The flowers are long - lasting and can be savor in the garden or as part ofcut efflorescence arrangements . Plus , the spent flowers are excellent dry out , retaining their coloration and figure for months .

Wrapping Up

grow sea holly is a fantastic way to bestow a unequalled touch to your garden . Its spectacular appearing , drought tolerance , and low maintenance requirements make it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add some unequaled garden plant to their landscape .

See how to plant stripped - root Sea Holly in this television !

Happy gardening !

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Hi, I’m Pamela