About
Eryngium variifolium, the Moroccan sea holly, is a compact, clump-forming, evergreen perennial with distinctive, dark-green, rounded basal leaves beautifully marked with white veins. In summer, branching stems to 45 cm carry small, rounded, blue-grey flowerheads. Ornamental in leaf as well as flower.
About the genus
Eryngium, the sea hollies, are biennials and perennials with spiny-margined, often architectural leaves and distinctive, dome-shaped flowerheads surrounded by spiny bracts, often in metallic shades of blue, silver or purple. Drought-tolerant and ornamental, they are grown in sunny, well-drained borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toMorocco
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a sunny spot in well-drained soil. Thrives in poor soil and will not tolerate excess winter wet
PruningCan be cut back after flowering, though seed heads persist well and can add interest in winter
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or by root cuttings in late winter. Divided plants can be slow to re-establish
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, and slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews