SEA ‘PURPLE SHOWERS’ ‘Purple Showers’

Characteristics

• Perennial • Blooms Time: Summer • Zone: 2-8 • Sun: Full sun • Height: 2-3’ • Attracts: Bees and Butterflies • Spread: 18” • Tolerant: Deer and rabbits

Culture

Blue Sea Holly bears attractive, blue-gray foliage and interesting blue that make excellent additions to fresh or dried bouquets. The unique, -like, steely-blue flowers with pincushion centers make quite a splash in the landscape. Blue Sea Holly is extremely long-lasting and can be used as cut or dried flowers. The uncommonly pretty foliage perfectly complements the lacy flowers. Best of all, this hardy perennial thrives in dry, sandy, sunny areas, and it even tolerates salty conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Through further research, I learned the blue I saw this summer were varieties of E. planum, which grow 2- to 3-feet-tall and 1- to 2-feet-wide. They in July and August. Plants may be grown from but may not bloom until the second year. Most varieties are perennial, but there are biennials and annuals, too. The originated in the Middle East and grows throughout most of the world. E. yuccifolium is considered a native to the tallgrass prairies of central and eastern North America. E leavenworthii, an annual, is a wildflower in Texas. Once established, it is xeric, preferring dry, well- drained soil and lots of sun. Some varieties can tolerate light shade, however the intensity of the color increases in proportion to the amount of sunlight it receives. Sea holly is attractive to butterflies and other beneficial insects and is deer and rabbit resistant, as well. It grows by a deep taproot and does not tolerate transplanting, and it will spread by seed but is not considered invasive. The hardest part of growing sea holly may be finding the sunniest, most visible spot in the garden for this striking plant.

Problems

Garden Uses

The dramatic Sea Holly flowers are also excellent for cutting and drying. Ideal for a coastal garden and cut flower garden.