Eryngium Jos Eijking, commonly known as ‘Sea Holly’, is a striking and distinctive perennial plant, prized for its architectural beauty and vibrant colour. This variety features spiky, thistle-like blooms with metallic blue flowers that sit atop tall, sturdy stems. The flowers are surrounded by an elegant collar of blue-tinged bracts, which adds to its bold appearance. The stems and leaves of Eryngium Jos Eijking are often tinged with a bluish-silver hue, enhancing the overall dramatic effect.
It typically blooms in mid to late summer and thrives in well-drained, sunny locations, making it an excellent choice for borders, and cut flower arrangements. With a mature height of about 1 metre, it’s a resilient, drought-tolerant plant that attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies while adding a sculptural presence to any garden.
How to care for your Eryngium Jos Eijking
- Planting: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. When planting, be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve the drainage. Space plants about 18-24 inches apart.
- Watering: Once established, it is drought tolerant and requires very little water. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch.
- Fertilising: It is not a heavy feeder, so fertilising is not necessary. .
- Pruning: It is a self-cleaning plant, so pruning is not necessary. However, if you wish to keep the plant a certain size or shape, you can prune it back in late Spring or early Summer.
- Overwintering: It is hardy but in areas with harsh winters, it’s a good idea to mulch around the base of the plant to help protect the roots.
