What is the common name for Eryngium?
Sea holly. These architectural, spiny, almost sculptural perennials, some looking superficially like thistles, can make a dramatic statement in a summer border. Let them rise above low-growing plants, or mingle them among roses and taller perennials to provide a contrast in form and texture. Eryngium, commonly known as Sea Holly, is a striking and distinctive perennial plant, beloved for its thistle-like blue or silver flowers and spiny-toothed leaves.COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS: Eryngium yuccifolium mingles well with flowering prairie residents like Allium cernuum, Asclepias tuberosa, Echinacea purpurea and Liatris aspera. This species also combines beautifully with prairie grasses like Andropogon gerardii.Symbolism: Traditionally, Eryngium (Sea Holly) represents strength, independence, and admiration. The spiky, thistle-like appearance of Sea Holly conveys resilience and the ability to thrive in challenging conditions, much like its natural habitat along coastlines and rocky areas.