Eryngium bourgatii Picos Amethyst ('Mackpam'PBR)
sea holly 'Picos Amethyst'
A herbaceous perennial, to about 50cm tall, with marbled green and white leaves and very stiff, branching stems, flushed with blue and dark red, that bear tight clusters of tiny blue flowers surrounded by deep blue, spiny bracts
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Red Green | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Red Green | Blue | Green Grey Silver | |
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Eryngium can be annuals, biennials or perennials with simple or divided leaves, often spiny edged, and cone-like flower-heads often surrounded by an involucre of conspicuous spiny bracts
- Name status
Trade
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in dry, well-drained soil that is poor to moderately fertile. Full sun is essential as is protection from winter wet
Propagation
Propagate by root cuttings in late winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Although you can cut back flower stems after flowering the seedheads are a very attractive feature so are usually left over winter
Pests
May be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, and slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews
Get involved
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