Eryngium maritimum

Eryngium maritimum or Sea Holly, is a botanical species from our coasts with splendid evergreen blue-green foliage, which is cut, leathery and very spiny. From June to September, flowering continuously, it displays its round heads of remarkable metallic blue. A magnificent blue thistle, to be planted in the sun, in poor, sandy or rocky soil, which is very well drained, and to be handled with caution or gloves, quite literally!

Eryngium maritimum, more commonly known as Sea Holly, is a botanical thistle, native to the coasts of Western Europe and Mediterranean countries. Perhaps you have already encountered it because it grows in the dunes and pebbles of many coastlines.  Belonging to the Apiaceae family, this sea holly is a perennial plant with beautiful blue-green leaves, forming an upright clump, and measuring 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24in) in all directions. Its roots emit underground runners. Highly branched, this maritime blue thistle has persistent foliage composed of glaucous, leathery and spiny leaves, deeply cut and with spectacular veins. From June to September, it is adorned with metallic blue flowers, in dense spherical heads, surrounded by silver-blue bracts.

This maritime blue thistle appreciates the sun and poor, sandy and rocky, which is well-drained soils, as close as possible to its natural habitat. It will therefore be ideal in a coastal garden, whose soil has the same characteristics as its natural environment. A highly decorative plant with very long blue flowering, uninterrupted throughout the summer, and splendid spiny grey-blue foliage, this Sea Holly will be the perfect companion for plants in poor soils such as grasses, wormwoods, Euphorbias, lavenders, choosing a grey-blue ambiance, a resolutely contemporary shade. It is however recommended to plant it in the background of flower beds to avoid getting too close to its thorns! This blue thistle is one of the best plants for the creation of splendid dried bouquets. Just cut the stems before the flowers fully bloom, and hang them upside down to dry.

The roots of this Sea Holly are edible, after boiling and grilling them, they taste like chestnuts.  In the United Kingdom, they were used to make sweets.