Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue'

One of the largest flowered and most blue of all eryngiums, Eryngium x zabelii ‘Big Blue’ lives up to its name. Low clumps of grey-green, deeply divided and softly spiny leaves keep a low profile throughout the first part of summer, giving no hint of the drama yet to unfold. Come August, stiffly branching, steely blue stems erupt from the clumps, bursting into thistly flowers. The flowers have a strong architectural design, each one composed of a central cone surrounded by a prominent ruff of slender bracts. Their intense metallic-blue colour is an arresting feature, especially in the low light of the evening when the flower heads appear to shimmer. The dried out flowerheads persist on the plant into the winter months extending the season of interest. They look magical when covered in dew or frost.

Eryngium x zabelii ‘Big Blue’ is drought tolerant once established, thriving in poor, freely draining sites. It makes an excellent subject for a dry and sunny Mediterranean border or gravel garden, where its strong architecture provides a counterpoint to softly mounding perennials. The flowers are adored by bees and butterflies. RHS Award of Garden Merit. Height: 70cm (28in). Spread: 60cm (24in).

Plant height and spread is seasonal therefore we list by pot size rather than a defined plant size. The height and spread of the plant delivered will vary depending on the season, meaning arrival images are an indication only.