It's deer resistant...they've never touched mine. It's drought tolerant and performs better in droughty years than wet ones, but it's not too picky. It is the most asked about plant in my garden. I have it growing next to a pink flower carpet rose and the contrast in form is really great. The blooms last a long time. The foliage can senesce a bit after it blooms, but you can cut it back to the ground and new foliage will sprout. A very easy adaptable plant. I have the species. I know Tony Avent sells a cultivar of it called 'Kershaw Blue', but I really don't know how the cultivar compares to the species.

Eryngium yuccifolium - sorry, but I choke on the common name for this one, can't even say it :) If you are in an area of the country that is experiencing early Spring, you could be pushing the moist cold requirement. These are probably going to need minimum of 4 weeks moist chill (approx 40ish)....how are your nights doing for chilly if your days have warmed up some. Our springs are so cool I think I could do it here, our days are barely getting to upper 50's on a GOOD day - but if you live where people have been experiencing 60's, 70's, you might want to use your refrigerator for a month or more then sow and place outside. (a tiny zip lock with a tsp or two of sterile moist sand or sterile moist vermiculite takes up very little space, then sow contents of the bag - sand and all - when ready)

Elisabeth, it grows wild among the grasses, agalinis and other 'weeds' on the dry soil up by the main road. I've never found a black swallowtail cat or egg on it. I'm not saying they'll never use it - never say never - but it's certainly not a choice BST host plant. Sherry

Steve, I requested seeds, but now that I'll be moving, sometime in the next few months to a house/land yet unknown, I may put off my request until next fall. Save you some postage this year. Thanks anyway. Susi Q in NE TX