Eryngium bourgatii, also known as Mediterranean Sea Holly, is a striking, hardy perennial with metallic steel-blue flower heads surrounded by long, spiky blue bracts. Its beautifully marbled, silver-veined foliage and upright stems bring architectural structure and unusual colour to summer borders.
A compact sea holly thriving in sunny, free-draining positions and is particularly attractive to bees. Ideal for gravel gardens, coastal planting and Mediterranean-style borders, the distinctive flower heads also dry beautifully for everlasting arrangements.
When to Sow: Sep - Oct & Feb - Apr (best for natural cold stratification); sow immediately upon receipt at any time of year
HOW TO SOW:
SEEDS REQUIRE DAMP STRATIFICATION.
Sow seeds as soon as possible after receipt onto moist, free-draining seed compost and cover lightly with vermiculite. Autumn sowing allows seeds to experience natural winter cold.
Keep trays outdoors in a sheltered position or in an unheated greenhouse, ensuring the compost remains moist but not waterlogged. Germination can be slow and irregular, particularly where seeds require cold stratification. Seeds sown during warmer months may remain dormant until after the following winter. Pot on seedlings as they emerge and grow on before planting out in a sunny, well-drained position.
Avoid artificial heat, as this may cause deeper dormancy. Pot on seedlings once established and plant out into well-drained soil in a sunny position
Avoid artificial heat, as this may cause deeper dormancy. Pot on seedlings once established and plant out into well-drained soil in a sunny position
Classification: Hardy Perennial
Expert Level: Some experience required
Germination Time: Several months, variable
Flowering Time: Jul–Aug
Site: Full sun
Soil Type: Poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil
Moisture: Free-draining
Care: Avoid winter waterlogging; remove old stems in spring
Use: Gravel gardens, coastal gardens, cut flowers, dried flowers
Harvesting: Cut flower heads for fresh or dried arrangements
Vase Life: Everlasting
Height: 40–45cm
Plant Spacing: 30cm