Eryngium agavifolium - AGAVE-LEAF SEA HOLLY

Evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial with low rosettes of sharply tooth-edged leaves.

Rosettes about 10" tall x 18-24" wide, 3-4' tall flowering stem bear small whitish thistle-like flowers, not truly ornamental (July to September), but they will attracts bumblebees.

Full sun to half shade, average to well drained soils.

Our experience is, that this plant will tolerate some shade - if provided dry/drained soil, so it will grow fairly well in lighter dry shade too, even when it has to compete with roots of the trees.

This Eryngium roots quite deeply, so once established is very drought tolerant and tough. Moderately long-lived, but will reseed some, so you won't loose your plant in time.

Originates in Argentina, hardiness differs according to the source, usually zones 6 to 9, but in well drained soils up to zone 4.

Deer and rabbit resistant plant.

Interesting perennial for drier or drained soils, ornamental for it's evergreen leaves, plant closer to the paths, ideally combine with lower or creeping plants.

Best combinations are with lower perennials or lower cultivars of Achillea millefolium, Antennaria, Eriogonum, Aster erigoides 'Snow Flurry', Calamintha, Coreopsis verticillata (lower cultivars), Dracocephallum, Erigeron pulchellus, Geranium x cantabrigiense, Geranium sanquineum, lower cultivar of Gaura, Helianthemum, smaller Nepeta, Oenothera, Phlox subulata, Phlox nivalis, Phlox bifida, Potentilla tridentata, Ruellia humilis, Salvia nemorosa (better the shorter varieties), Sedum - especially the lower ones, Sempervivum, Stachys byzantina or grasses like Bouteloa, Eragrostis, Festuca glauca, Koeleria cristata, Muhlenbergia, Stipa, Sporobolus.

Pot size : square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot

Picture copyright : Cillas, Commons Wikipedia