{"product_id":"eryngium-bourgatii","title":"Eryngium bourgatii","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eEryngium bourgatii\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003eMediterranean sea holly\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most striking hardy perennials you can grow for a hot, sunny border. Rosettes of deeply cut, dark green leaves are marbled with bold silvery-white veins, and from these rise branching, steel-blue stems topped with cone-shaped flower heads ringed by spiny, silver-blue bracts. It brings a jewel-like, architectural sparkle to gravel gardens and dry borders right through high summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative from the Pyrenees to Morocco, this is a tough, sun-loving plant built for lean conditions. It is fully hardy in the UK (RHS H5) and dies back below ground each winter before reshooting in spring, so it needs no protection beyond good drainage. Once settled it is impressively drought-tolerant, and its nectar-rich summer flowers are a magnet for bees, butterflies and hoverflies. The seed heads dry beautifully, holding their shape for cutting or left to stand for winter structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun in an open spot; happy in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edry and gravel gardens\u003c\/a\u003e and exposed, coastal sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e sharply drained chalk, loam or sand across the full pH range, poor to moderately fertile. Avoid heavy, wet ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e clump-forming to around 0.45 m tall and 0.3 m across, reaching full size in two to five years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e fully hardy (RHS H5); simply leave the crown to overwinter and cut back old growth in spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant it in bold drifts near the front of a sunny border, where the silver foliage and blue flowers weave beautifully through grasses and other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border plants\u003c\/a\u003e. It is a natural partner for our wider range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e, adds real presence to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e schemes, and earns its place in any planting designed for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003ewildlife and pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. For a sense of how it changes with the seasons, see our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect from hardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery plant we supply is nursery-grown, carefully selected for a strong crown and healthy root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm \/ 2L","offer_id":57972910653823,"sku":"ERYNBOUR17","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-1987804360.jpg?v=1784328202","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/eryngium-bourgatii","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}