Mine tends to flop a bit too much for my liking.

And the roots go WAY down deep and it's hard to get rid of but I like mine so I just keep it "trimmed" up.

Hello there,
I can only agree on the roots resilience they spread/ grow like Papaver orientale.
Make sure their soil is rather poor + dry in a really sunny spot then you should get sturdy plants with nice blueish foliage.

good luck,

linaria

I planted a "Saphire Blue" Sea Holly this July. I put it near my driveway by the road, in sandy soil with full sun. The other stuff that it's planted with is sedum, yarrow, stonecrop, and some type of lily. The only help that area gets from me is getting cut back, either in the fall or spring. After about a week it just took off. I've had many compliments. Right now it is still flowering. I think this is a zone 5 plant, and since we're zone 4 I am hoping it doesn't die off. The only downside I can think of is that it does have thorns.

Pudge:

This is just an idea, but maybe the area you planted them in is just too good for Sea Holly and that's why it flops. I recall reading this and Linaria on this thread mentioned it needs a poor quality soil. I have some areas like that. I'll bet it would look great in a vase among cut flowers like heliopsis and roses, daisies and such. Unusual.

I had a heck of a time trying to grow this one, for the longest time. I had wintersown one year and it sprouted, only to die once transplanting. Or so I thought. It came back the following year, and after growing it for 2 years, I discovered how much I hated it, LOL. It was way too floppy for me and just wasn't attractive. I'm not a big fertilizer person, so my soil isn't that great. I potted it up and stuck it on the deck (2 years ago). It's barely alive, and really did nothing this year, but I actually don't care...

Thanks, summerstar, you're probably right as I have naturally fairly rich soil.

Bluestone Perennials has Eryngium Sapphire Blue at half price for $5.47 still if you're interested in getting a few small ones to fall plant or pot up until spring.

If that's the only thing you're ordering the shipping might not be worth it.

I was tempted since it's they say it's clay tolerand and deer resistant but they don't say anything about rabbits and groundhogs. Unfortunately the only full sun bed is right up at the mailbox. People here are still wondering about the looks of the humongous Cleome I had there this year so I can imagine what they'd think of the sea holly.

I went and amended clay soil when I made beds last fall like I was supposed to and now some plants won't thrive there. Don't know how to make soil in one part of only full sun bed 'poor'.

Got plenty of heavy clay in part or full shade, though, but the Eryngium would probably flop all over even in part shade.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bluestone - Eryngium Sapphire Blue

I don't have Eryngium but I have echinops (globes instead of stars). Similar plants, prickly, deer resistant, full sun, poor soil, stands tall and doesn't flop. I love mine.

That said, we had TOO much rain this year and it turned black. I was so sad. I decided to cut it off at the ground. Right now, the fresh new foliage is coming up like nothing went wrong. So, I'm encouraged that it will be fine.

Cameron

{{gwi:266811}}

Tracey:

Your message made me laugh . . . here's a lady who tells you exactly what's on her mind. Sea Holly is the kind of plant you either love or hate; many folks don't like the foliage. I wouldn't be happy with it either if it flops. I've grown the blue Globe Thistle, I like its blue flower, and it never flops. It's foliage can disappear (like some poppies) later in summer. It seems that Sea Holly is a more refined plant than Globe Thistle.

And Cameron, I had a hard time getting my Echinops going. When I first planted them, I couldn't figure out if I was adding too much water or not enough cause I planted three and only one lived. I don't believe it likes transplanting, but once it settles in, it's in for keeps. BTW, the picture of your garden is beautiful!

Summerstar, I also lost a few of the echinops 'Ritro' when I planted them down my slope where they couldn't get enough sun due to taller perennials growing faster. I moved the survivors to the top of the slope to get the big plants in full sun and leaner soil. I hope they hang on now! Thanks for the nice words about my garden. It's still very young and I have a few challenges such as deer!

Cameron