Blue Hobbit Sea Holly Eryngium × tripartitum
ABOUT
Eryngium × tripartitum, commonly known as Sea Holly, is a striking perennial plant distinguished by its unique appearance. It flaunts a deeply textured foliage with spiny-edged leaves that often exhibit a bluish or grayish tinge, creating a somewhat metallic sheen. These distinctive leaves form a rosette at the base of the plant, setting a dramatic backdrop for the flower heads. The blooms of the Sea Holly are quite dramatic and are a highlight of the plant's appearance. They are composed of small, tightly-clustered flowers which are usually a steel blue or purplish color; these intricate flowers form a cone shape and are surrounded by a ruff of spiky bracts, reminiscent of a collar around the blossom. This bract-and-flower combination sits atop branched stems, which can give the plant a somewhat spiky and architectural look. These bracts maintain their color and shape even after the blooms have faded, extending the plant's ornamental appeal well past its blooming period. The bristly texture and intricate form of both leaves and flowers make the Sea Holly a highly valued plant for both fresh and dried floral arrangements. The overall visual impact of the Sea Holly is one of a rugged yet decorative elegance, making it suitable for garden designs that aim to incorporate plants with a strong visual presence and a slightly untamed, naturalistic feel. Its unique shape and coloration make it stand out in garden beds, borders, and as a striking addition to gravel gardens.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Apiaceae
Synonyms
Tripartite Sea Holly, Hybrid Sea Holly
Common names
Eryngium × tripartitum
- Toxicity
To humans
Eryngium × tripartitum, commonly known as Sea Holly, is not generally considered toxic to humans. However, as with any plant, some individuals may have allergic reactions or sensitivities to it. If ingested, it's not expected to cause poisoning. Nevertheless, eating ornamental plants is generally discouraged due to the potential for unexpected allergic reactions or digestive upset.
To pets
Eryngium × tripartitum, or Sea Holly, is not widely known to be toxic to pets. There isn't a significant amount of information suggesting that it poses a poisoning risk to domestic animals such as cats and dogs. As with humans, sensitivity can vary among individual animals, and it's best to prevent pets from ingesting plants that are not meant for consumption, to avoid any potential stomach discomfort or allergic reactions.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
2 feet (60 centimeters)
Spread
1 foot (30 centimeters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Hybrid
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: Eryngium × tripartitum, commonly known as sea holly, is highly valued for its unique blue-green foliage and striking steel-blue flower heads, making it an attractive addition to gardens and floral arrangements.
- Drought Resistance: Sea holly is known for its ability to withstand dry conditions, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers of sea holly are rich in nectar and attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which are essential for the pollination of many plants.
- Low Maintenance: This plant requires minimal care once established, making it a suitable option for gardeners looking for low-maintenance landscaping options.
- Deer Resistance: Sea holly is typically not favored by deer, which can be beneficial in areas where deer browsing is a problem for gardens.
- Soil Versatility: It can grow in a variety of soil types, from sandy to clay, as long as the soil is well-draining.
- Coastal Adaptation: Being tolerant of salt and windy conditions, sea holly is ideal for coastal gardens.
- Long Blooming Period: The plant has a long flowering period, which extends from early summer to early fall, providing extended visual interest.
- Architectural Interest: The distinctive shape and texture of sea holly's foliage and flowers add architectural interest to garden designs and mixed borders.
- Companion Planting: It pairs well with other drought-tolerant plants and can be used to create contrasting textures and colors in the landscape.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Eryngium × tripartitum, commonly known as Sea Holly, can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a unique blue hue similar to that of its flowers.
- Sea Holly can be incorporated into floral displays and bouquets for its striking structure and color, often drying well to be used in dried arrangements.
- The spiky texture of Sea Holly makes it a natural deterrent for garden pests and animals when planted as a border around vegetable gardens.
- The roots of Sea Holly can be used in decoctions for tanning leather, taking advantage of the natural compounds found within the plant.
- Its metallic blue stems and thistle-like appearance make Sea Holly a popular choice for ornamental feature in rock gardens or coastal-themed landscapes.
- Sea Holly can be used in educational settings, such as botany classes, to study pollination as it is attractive to a wide range of pollinators.
- The resilient nature of Sea Holly makes it suitable for erosion control in sandy or coastal soils where other plants might not thrive.
- Its striking look and form can inspire artists and designers, influencing patterns and motifs in textile design or jewelry.
- Sea Holly can be added to compost piles as a source of organic matter, contributing to soil improvement and garden health.
- It serves as an excellent ground cover to suppress weeds due to its dense growing habit.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Sea Holly is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Sea Holly is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Resilience: Eryngium × tripartitum, commonly known as Sea Holly, often grows in challenging conditions such as coastal areas with poor soil, symbolizing the ability to endure and thrive in the face of adversity.
- Protection: The spiky foliage and bracts of Sea Holly can represent defense and boundary-setting, serving as a symbol of protection against negative forces.
- Attraction: With its striking blue to purple inflorescence, Sea Holly can represent attraction and fascination, symbolizing a captivating presence that draws others in.
- Independence: As Sea Holly is a tough, self-reliant plant, it often symbolizes independence, encouraging self-sufficiency and personal strength.
- Water
For the Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium × tripartitum), watering should be thorough, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Typically, this plant will need to be watered once a week, depending on local weather conditions. During hot and dry periods, it may require more frequent watering, possibly every few days, while in cooler or rainy periods, less frequent watering may be necessary. The amount of water should be approximately 1 gallon for an established plant each time you water, ensuring even distribution around the root zone.
- Light
The Rattlesnake Master thrives in full sun conditions, so it's best situated in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. The plant can handle partial shade, but flowering may be reduced. Avoid deeply shaded areas where it will not perform well. An ideal location would be an unobstructed south-facing garden bed or a landscape area with ample sunshine.
- Temperature
Rattlesnake Master is quite tolerant of temperature variations, but it performs best in temperatures ranging from 35 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It should not be subjected to temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit as extreme cold can damage the plant. For optimal growth, maintaining a temperature range that falls within 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
- Pruning
Pruning Rattlesnake Master mainly involves removing spent flower stalks and dead foliage to encourage new growth and maintain a tidy appearance. It's best to prune the plant in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cutting back the plant every year or two will help to rejuvenate it and keep it from becoming too woody.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Sea Holly (Eryngium × tripartitum) thrives best in a well-draining soil mix with a pH ranging from 5.8 to 7.2. A mixture of garden soil, sand, and compost will create an ideal environment for this resilient plant.
- Repotting
Sea Holly does not require frequent repotting and can typically be repotted every 2-3 years, or when it outgrows its current container.
- Humidity & Misting
Sea Holly prefers a dry to average humidity environment and does not require high humidity levels to thrive.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Ensure full sun, minimal water, and good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, water sparingly.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
- Life cycle
Eryngium × tripartitum, commonly known as blue eryngo, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in early spring, ideally in well-drained soil and in full sunlight. Seedling development progresses as the plant establishes a rosette of basal leaves, which are essential for photosynthesis and early growth. As the plant matures, it develops a sturdy, upright stem and a series of spiky, blue to violet inflorescences composed of small, clustered flowers that typically bloom in summer, attracting pollinators. After pollination, the flower heads form seed capsules containing numerous seeds, which when mature, are dispersed by wind, water, or animal movement. In the autumn, the above-ground portions of the plant die back, while the root system remains dormant through the winter. The cycle restarts the following spring when conditions are favorable for the seeds to germinate or for the perennial rootstock to send up new growth.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Late summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for Eryngium × tripartitum, commonly known as Blue Eryngo, is by seed. The best time to sow the seeds is in spring, after the last frost when the soil has warmed up. To propagate, collect seeds from the mature plant and sow them directly into a well-draining soil mix, lightly covering them with soil. Germination can be erratic, so patience is necessary. Seedlings should be grown on in cooler conditions and can be planted out in their final position in the following spring. Care should be taken not to damage the taproot during transplanting, as this can set the plant back.