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focal · easy · mid

Eryngium

Eryngium · aka sea holly

Eryngium delivers a rare naturally-blue cut flower in a sculptural, cone-headed form. Photographs like nothing else in a bouquet; also dries perfectly and holds its silver-blue colour for years. One caveat: the spines will draw blood — always handle in gloves.

At a glance
FamilyApiaceae
OriginMediterranean; commercially grown Netherlands, Italy, California
Peak seasonJune, July, August, September
AvailabilityMay to October
Stem length50–80 cm
Vase life10–21 days
Colorssilver-blue, blue, purple, green
Price tiermid
Conditioning

Cut on a diagonal, fresh water. Watch the spines — eryngium is unfriendly to bare hands.

Where flowers grow
Care in the vase
  • SHARP SPINES — always work in gloves
  • One of the few naturally-blue cut flowers
  • Dries perfectly — preserves colour for years
  • Sculptural silver-blue cone-heads — a design signature
Design role & symbolism
Symbolismindependence, attraction
Occasionseditorial, modern wedding, dried arrangements
Substitutesthistle, delphinium
bluetexturaleditorialdriedspiky
Colors
Blue Flowers
Varieties2

2 named sea holly cultivars from the Lacy Bird master catalogue — each a distinct commercial variety.

✦ Acanta catalog

Entries marked ✦ come from the Acanta master catalogue — the shared database of cut flowers, forms, colours and named varieties that florists and studios build on. The rest are our editorial genus reference. What is Acanta →

Bouquet BuilderBouquet Builder — by Lacy Bird

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Frequently asked questions

When is Eryngium in season?

Eryngium peaks in June, July, August, September, and florists can usually source it May to October. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.

How long does Eryngium last in a vase?

Expect 10–21 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.

What can I use instead of Eryngium?

Good substitutes for Eryngium include Thistle, Delphinium. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.

What does Eryngium symbolise?

Eryngium is associated with independence, attraction.

How do you care for cut Eryngium?

SHARP SPINES — always work in gloves

Related flowers

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