substantial bright yellow flowers to 15
in.
Epimedium pinnatum blooms in red,
pink, yellow, or white and is especially
tolerant of dry soils. ‘Black Sea’
displays pale peach flowers and foliage
that turns maroon in cool weather.
Epimedium ×versicolor ‘Sulphureum’
has yellow flowers and is vigorously
stoloniferous. It is hardy to zone 4 and
is one of the best epimediums for dry
shade.
Epimedium ×warleyense has vibrant
orange blooms and spreads rapidly but
not densely. ‘Orangekonigin’ (orange
queen) spreads more slowly. This
hybrid is evergreen to zone 7.
Epimedium ×youngianum ‘Niveum’
is a white bloomer that forms compact
clumps which increase relatively
quickly.Eryngium planum
flat sea holly
apiaceae
Blue cone surrounded by spiny blue bracts
on almost leafless branching stems;
heart-shaped basal foliage
2–3 ft. high; 1–2 ft. wide
Full sun
Blooms July–August
Zones 5–8
pruning Individual flowers are
ornamental for a long period of time.
Deadheading doesn’t seem to prolong
bloom, but it makes the plant more
attractive and reduces seeding.Deadheading can be tricky business
because of the spiny nature of the
plant. Trying to remove each flower
head as it declines would drive even
the worst neatnik off his or her rocker.
Waiting until most of the heads have
declined on several of the flowering
branches and then going in to tidy up
by removing whole branches seems
the most practical solution. Generally
this needs to be done only once during
the blooming season in early August.
Then, in late August when most of the
remaining flowering is finished and
the unattractive brown heads develop,
all flowering stems should be cut to
the ground. Sometimes basal foliage
will be present, other times it won’t.
With this regimen some seeding will
occur, but it’s worth it compared to the
tedious and painful process of
deadheading each individual flower.
Leave the basal growth, which remains
evergreen, for the winter.
other maintenance Flat sea holly
is normally self-supporting and
trouble free, except for seeding. It does
require well-draining soil; in fact, it
thrives in dry, sandy soil and is tolerant
of neglect during dry summers when
you can’t seem to make it out to the
gardens with the sprinkler. Division is
seldom necessary, and the taprooted
plants resent disturbance.
related plantS Extra-blue
selections of flat sea holly includeEryngium planum