Eryngium planumFlat sea holly
Family:Apiaceae
属:刺芹属
common name:Flat sea holly
introduce:Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Apiaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: Central and southeastern Europe
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: June - September
Bloom Color: Silver blue
Sun: Full sun (only)
Water: Dry
Maintenance: Low
General Culture:
Easily grown in dry, sandy, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates poor soils. Self-seeds in optimum growing conditions. Tall plants tend to sprawl, particularly if grown in overly fertile soils or in anything less than full sun. This is a taprooted plant which transplants poorly and is best left undisturbed once established.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Flat sea holly is a coarse, thistle-like, clump-forming plant which typically grows 2-3 tall and features basal rosettes of elliptic to oblong, cordate-based, serrate, dark green leaves (to 4" long) with smaller, spiny-lobed, blue-tinted stem leaves. Tiny, stemless, steel-blue flowers tightly packed into egg-shaped, 3/4" long heads resembling thistles appear in profusion in summer in branched clusters at the top of stiff stems rising from the centers of the basal rosettes to 2-3 tall. Flower heads are subtended by narrow, spiky, blue-green bracts (to 1" long).
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses:
Best in naturalized areas where soils are dry and sandy. Also effective as a single specimen or in small groupings in dry border areas.
