Blue Sea Holly - Bareroot Plant

Bring cool blue color and sculptural texture to sunny borders with Blue Sea Holly bare-root plants. Blue flowers with pincushion-like centers and spiny bracts rise above rosettes of toothed foliage, creating an eye-catching contrast with softer garden flowers. Enjoy the summer blooms outdoors or cut stems for fresh and dried arrangements.

Plant Highlights

• Plant type: Perennial sea holly, supplied bare root.
• Flowers: Blue blooms with spiny bracts and silvery-blue stems.
• Bloom season: Summer.
• Light: Full sun.
• Soil: Open, well-drained soil; suitable for sandy or lean soils.
• Hardiness: USDA zones 4–8.
• Spacing: Approximately 18–22 inches apart.
• Garden uses: Sunny borders, dry gardens, and fresh or dried flower arrangements.

Planting Your Bare Roots

Unpack promptly and keep roots protected from drying out until planting. Choose a permanent sunny position with excellent drainage. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the roots without bending or crowding them. Spread roots gently and position the crown, where roots meet shoots, at soil level. Backfill carefully and water to settle the soil. Do not bury the crown deeply.

Watering and Establishment

Check soil moisture regularly while new roots and growth develop. Water when needed to keep the root area from drying completely during establishment, but allow excess water to drain away. Established sea holly tolerates dry conditions better than newly planted bare roots. Avoid persistently wet soil, especially around the crown.

Ongoing Care

• Provide full sun and good airflow around plants.
• Avoid heavy, waterlogged planting sites and excessive feeding.
• Keep weeds from competing with newly established plants.
• Use care around the spiny flower bracts when handling or cutting stems.
• Flowering and establishment vary with planting time, root condition, and growing conditions; a first-season bloom is not guaranteed.

Container Growing

Choose a sturdy, deep container with drainage holes and enough room for the roots to develop. Use a free-draining potting mix and set the crown at soil level. Place the container in full sun, and water thoroughly when needed, allowing excess water to escape. Never leave the pot standing in water. Container roots are more exposed to winter cold than roots in the ground, so plan suitable winter protection for your climate.

Cut and Dried Flowers

Cut selected stems with clean pruners when flowers have developed their blue color. Place stems intended for fresh arrangements in water promptly. For drying, hang small bunches in a dry, airy place out of direct sunlight.

Choose Your Plant Pack

Select 2 Plants/Roots or 5 Plants/Roots using the size selector. This listing is for bare-root plants, not seeds or a potted plant.