Eryngium planum 'Dark Blue'
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'Flat Sea Holly' (e-RINJ-ee-um: PLANE-um) Grows 2.5 to 3.5 feet tall and 18 inches wide but the tops are loaded with the dark blue prickly flowers and when grown well in groups of three or five plants-spaced out about 12 inches apart -- they form a cloud of bright blue flowers in mid summer. This large plant can be used were you need something for a dry, sunny location. The flowers can be dried for use in arrangements. They prefer a sandy, well-drained soil with a good amount of organic material. Grow in full sun, but will flower well in some shade -- were they may need a stake because the plants become tall and the stems lax. The Heart-shaped basal leaves are more or less evergreen, with a set of basal leaves in the spring that gives rise to a long stem with few leaves on it at the top. This species is native to Eastern Europe, many silver-blue flower heads ½' long and oval, popular European commercial cut flower. Once plants are established they should be left alone because they have a large white tap root, in the spring root cuttings can be made or you can allow the plants to self sow on open ground. Zones 4 to 8. Plants will bloom the second year from a spring sowing. Sow seeds onto moist seed mix and keep for four weeks at 50-60F, if no germination, 12 weeks at 39ºF (refrigerator) , move to 68ºF for germination. 50 seeds.