Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Blue Glitter Sea Holly: Metallic Blue Thimbles for Lean, Dry Soil
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Blue Glitter sea holly thrives in hot, dry, sun-baked spots where many perennials struggle, and it even handles salty soil. In midsummer it sends up branching silver-blue stems topped with small, thimble-shaped flowers wrapped in spiny collars, all in an intense metallic blue. At peak, the plant looks like a shimmering blue candelabra.
It looks spiky, and it is. Give it a spot where nobody brushes past in shorts.
Blue Glitter at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Eryngium planum 'Blue Glitter' |
| Flowers | Metallic blue thimbles about ¾ inch, with spiny star collars |
| Stems | Much-branched, rigid, silver-blue |
| Size | Flower stems 24 to 36 inches; basal rosette 8 to 12 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Excellent for bees and butterflies; deer resistant |
Built for the lavender bed
Sea holly loves exactly what lavender loves: hot sun and dry, lean soil. Rich or wet soil makes it flop and rot, just like lavender. So it can live right in the bed, mixed among the lavender plants, with no change in your routine.
The pairing is all about texture and tone. Lavender's soft, narrow spikes and gray leaves next to Blue Glitter's stiff, spiny, metallic heads makes each one look more interesting. The blues and purples blend, and the silver stems echo lavender foliage. Both bloom in July, so they peak together. In a coastal or roadside garden with some salt exposure, sea holly is one of the few companions that will not mind.
Planting and care
- Soil: lean, sandy or gravelly, with sharp drainage. Wet winter clay is the main cause of loss.
- Placement: it has a long taproot and resents being moved, so plant it where it can stay.
- Water: regularly in its first season, then rarely. It is very drought tolerant.
- Feeding: none. Fertile soil weakens the stems and dulls the color.
- Color: the strongest metallic blue comes with full sun and lean soil.
Cutting and drying
Blue Glitter is rated excellent for both fresh and dried arrangements. For drying, cut the stems when the heads and stems are fully blue, strip the lower leaves and hang them upside down in a dry, shaded spot. Dried sea holly and dried lavender make a long-lasting farmhouse bouquet. Gloves help when handling the spiny bracts.
About the plug tray
This sea holly is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, ideal for dry gardens, cutting rows and growers. Plugs also make it easier to plant before the taproot gets long. See the product page for current availability and the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Does it need a cold winter to bloom?
No. It flowers without a cold period, though it is fully hardy in zones 4 to 8.
Is it really salt tolerant?
Yes, once established it is very drought and salt tolerant.
Do deer eat it?
It is rated deer resistant. The spines help.
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