Eryngium Bourgatii

Easily recognised by their ruff of spiky bracts surrounding a prominent, cone-like centre of tiny flowers, sea hollies make a bold statement in a sunny border or gravel garden. This variety produces deeply cut, blue or grey-green bracts 6cm across on stiff green stems in July and August. The attractive, dark green, marbled foliage, which appears before the flowers, is shown off to best effect planted in gravel. It also looks great when planted in bold clumps among grasses. The spiky flowerheads make wonderful additions to dried flower arrangements.