Eryngium 'Big Blue'
Best low-maintenance perennial for coastal gardeners and pollinator enthusiasts.
Eryngium 'Big Blue', also known as Sea Holly, is a striking clumping perennial that brings unique iridescent steel-blue flowers and a lovely fragrance to your garden. This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and is highly resistant to drought, salt, deer, and rabbits, making it ideal for coastal gardens, rock gardens, and xeriscapes. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, and its blooms are perfect for both fresh and dried floral arrangements. Grouping or mass planting enhances its impressive visual appeal.
$22.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 2715
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-17%
Below average
SKU
27936
Who it's for
- Floral designers wanting long-lasting, unique textures for arrangements
- Gardeners seeking high-impact, architectural color for summer borders
- Busy homeowners needing low-maintenance, water-wise landscaping solutions
Who should skip it
- Impatient gardeners looking for instant, fast-growing landscape results
- Gardeners managing heavy, moisture-retaining clay soil conditions
- Families with small children or pets playing near garden beds
Performance breakdown
Drought Resilience
Thrives in arid conditions with minimal supplemental watering once established.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer and rabbits, protecting your garden investment.
Pollinator Appeal
Actively invites bees and butterflies to boost your local ecosystem.
Floral Utility
Exceptional structure makes these blooms ideal for fresh or dried arrangements.
Maintenance Ease
A low-effort perennial that rewards gardeners with consistent seasonal color.
Coastal Adaptability
Salt tolerance makes this a top-tier choice for seaside landscapes.
Key Specs
SKU
27936
Genus
Eryngium
Species
x zabellii
Variety
'Big Blue'
Item Form
1-Quart
Bloom Color
Blue
Foliage Color
Blue Green
Habit
Mound-shaped
Features
- Unique iridescent steel-blue flowers
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Fragrant blooms
- Drought tolerant once established
- Salt tolerant for coastal gardens
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Stunning in floral arrangements
- Low maintenance
What customers say
Consumers consistently praise the striking, architectural design and intense blue coloration of Eryngium 'Big Blue'. The primary sentiment revolves around the exceptional quality and vigor of the plants upon arrival, often exceeding expectations for size and health. Gardeners appreciate its reliability as a low maintenance, drought tolerant perennial that provides unique texture and attracts pollinators, making it a highly valued addition to perennial borders.
Know before you buy
Since 'Big Blue' reaches a mature width of 2 feet, you should space them at least 24 inches apart to allow for proper airflow and healthy growth.
No, it is highly drought-tolerant once established. You will only need to provide regular water during its first season to help the root system settle into your soil.
Yes, 'Big Blue' is an excellent choice for coastal areas because it is salt-tolerant and thrives in the sandy, well-drained soil conditions often found near the ocean.
Absolutely. The steel-blue blooms are long-lasting in fresh bouquets and are also highly prized for dried floral arrangements because they retain their unique color and shape.
You can plant this with confidence, as 'Big Blue' is naturally resistant to both deer and rabbits, making it a reliable choice for gardens where these animals are common.
This plant performs best in well-drained soil, specifically loamy or sandy types. It is important to avoid heavy, waterlogged clay soils, which can cause the roots to rot.
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Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$23