Sea Holly

Eryngium yuccifolium catches the eye at first glance with its exotic appearance, which resembles a desert yucca more than a classic perennial. It originates from the steppe regions and light forests of the eastern USA, where it has learned to manage water excellently. Thanks to this, it is an ideal choice for sunny and dry locations with well-drained, even poorer sandy soil. It forms a basal rosette of stiff, blue-green to gray-green leaves, from which tall stems topped with spherical inflorescences grow in summer. The flowers are up to 2.5 cm in diameter and their color transitions from silvery white to greenish. The plant is very hardy and does not suffer from pests or diseases. Its flowers are literally a magnet for pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, who find plenty of food on them. In the garden, it acts as a striking structural element that, thanks to its evergreen leaves and sturdy stems, decorates the bed even in the winter months. For florists, this eryngium is a valuable material. The sturdy stems are easy to arrange, and the spherical flowers look great in fresh summer bouquets as well as in dried decorations, where they hold their shape for a long time.

Sea holly Silver Salentino stands out with the silvery metallic color of its flowers and bracts, which looks very modern and novel in flower beds. This perennial will find its use mainly in naturally styled steppe and gravel beds, where it will appreciate full sun and well-drained, even poorer sandy soil. It is an undemanding plant that even beginners can handle; it does not need support and tolerates drought excellently. The flowers are literally a magnet for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies, so you will bring a lot of life to the garden with it. Floristically, sea holly is very valuable because its sturdy stems with striking bracts last a long time in a vase and are also perfectly suited for drying into winter decorations. An interesting historical fact is that the roots of some species used to be eaten candied as sweets in England and France. In folk medicine, it was used as an aphrodisiac, which is where its popular name "male fidelity" comes from.