Eryngium zabelii Violetta

Eryngium x zabelii 'Violetta' is a magnificent variety of sea holly, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful ornamental thistles. It develops sturdy silver stems and dark blue conical inflorescences crowned with long deep blue spiny bracts. It is a plant with well-armored foliage, and provides a focal point for perennial borders. It blooms in July-August, and its flowers, which remain decorative for several weeks, are as ornamental in borders as they are in fresh or dried bouquets. A thistle that thrives in the sun, in well-drained, even dry soil, in summer.

Sea Holly 'Violetta'  is a hybrid plant, belonging to the Apiaceae family (formerly Umbelliferae), obtained by cross-breeding Eryngium alpinum and Eryngium bourgatii. The plant, anchored on a large taproot, forms a clump of heart-shaped, deciduous to semi-evergreen, spiny and tough basal leaves, which are deeply incised and medium green in colour. The flower stalks rise up to 70 cm (28in) from the ground and the vegetation spreads over a diameter of 50 cm (20in). In July-August, the conical capitulum inflorescences, carried at the top of stems with small green leaves, are initially grey and then violet and deep blue. They measure 8 to 13 cm (3 to 5in) in height and 5 cm (2in) in diameter, and are topped by a collar of narrow, highly divided, blue bracts measuring over 6 cm (2in) in length. The cone is made up of tiny flowers that will not produce viable seeds.

Eryngium zabelii 'Violetta' grows in deep, dry, well-drained soil, even poor and rocky soil, in hot and sunny locations. This superb perennial brings an interesting texture to borders, thanks to its unique and graphic habit. Plant it in rockeries and borders in a dry garden alongside shrubby Salvias, Perovskia, Pennisetums, Stipa, Gaura lindheimeri 'Snowstorm', Verbascum bombyciferum 'Polarsommer', and Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'. The fresh or dried flowers of Eryngium are widely used in bouquets.