I have seen blue sea holly growing in Calgary. I don't know if they are the alpine variety or not. I have one blue sea holly which seems to struggle in the spring.
In the hands of a more dedicated gardener they probably would grow well.
I am not sure that it would flower the first year.

I have grown it and pulled it out. Gave them away on freecycle. The pictures in the catalogue look so much better than the real thing :)

I found them hard to keep upright. I had to stake them and they still became unruly. Not as dramatic or pretty as I would have liked. Very easy to grow from seed. I'm still pulling out seedlings every year now, since that initial planting.

I grow "Blue Hobbit" sea holly, which is a dwarf variety. I started it from seed last spring, and it did flower for me, but I seem to remember that being a feature of this particular variety. However, if you are getting a root, I think there may be a good possibility for flowering. Not totally sure though, because my experience with sea holly is very limited!

I did like Blue Hobbit though; it is quite cute. VERY small though. I'm guessing it'll get bigger this year, assuming it comes back, but probably never over a foot x a foot. I think it was easy to grow...just DON'T overwater. I think good drainage is an absolute must. And try to plant it where you are going to keep it..I transplanted one of mine, and I had to cut off a ginormous tap root - even though I had only moved it out of it's little starter pot a month before! So I wouldn't be surprised if that one kicks the bucket this winter.

They do look pretty cool..Blue Hobbit is VERY blue. I found that it was hard to place with my other plants, though. I don't know what to plant next to it to complement it! It looks otherworldly.