Sea holly (Eryngium planum 'Tiny Jackpot')
Eryngium planum 'Tiny Jackpot' (Sea holly) offers spiky blue summer blooms on compact stems. Thrives in full sun and dry soil.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’, commonly known as Sea holly, is a distinctive herbaceous perennial valued for its unique, architectural blue blooms that bring sharp texture to the summer garden. This specific cultivar, Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’, offers a desirable compact form compared to standard Sea holly, making it excellent for smaller perennial borders or mass plantings where space is limited. Its thistle-like flower heads, surrounded by spiky blue-green bracts, provide stunning color and structural interest from mid-summer into fall.
These plants naturally form a basal rosette of dark green, deeply-toothed leaves. Rising above this architecture are strong stems topped with spherical, violet-blue flower umbels, which are highly attractive to pollinators. Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’ is a low-maintenance selection, provided it receives adequate sunlight and excellent drainage, mirroring the toughness associated with true sea-side inhabitants.
The metallic blue hue of the flowers makes Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’ a standout choice against lighter greens, silvers, or hot colors in a sunny perennial bed. Once established, this highly drought-tolerant plant settles in quickly, offering reliable, low-input performance year after year with its unique form.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Apiaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 0.5-1 ft
- Bloom Time: June to August
- Bloom Description: Blue
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’ in the spring after the danger of heavy frost has passed, or in early fall, ensuring it has plenty of time to establish its crucial taproot system. The most critical requirement for success is placement; choose a location offering full sun and lean, sandy, well-drained soil. This species tolerates poor soils readily, an attribute stemming from its native environment.
Care is minimal once established. Avoid overwatering; this plant despises wet feet and is highly susceptible to root rot if the soil remains soggy. Do not heavily amend the soil with rich compost or manure, as rich fertility can cause taller stems to sprawl, diminishing the compact habit desired in Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’. Generally, supplemental fertilization is unnecessary.
Since this is a taprooted perennial, transplanting is difficult and should be avoided. Site your Sea holly carefully during initial planting, as it prefers to be left undisturbed. Minimal deadheading is required, as the dried flower heads provide excellent winter interest and structure.
Landscape Uses
Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’ shines when placed in locations receiving baked sun all day long, thanks to its exceptional drought tolerance. This compact Sea holly is perfect for the front or middle of open perennial borders, adding necessary vertical accent without overwhelming smaller plantings. Groupings of three or five plants create a highly effective, monochromatic sea of blue texture.
Due to its tough nature, this plant pairs beautifully with other low-water lovers like Sedum, Russian Sage (Perovskia), or sturdy ornamental grasses. The spiky flowers are phenomenal when used in mixed borders, providing an excellent contrast to soft-textured plants like Lamb’s Ear or soft ornamental grasses.
Furthermore, the stiff, long-lasting blooms of Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’ make it an excellent choice for cutting gardens. Harvest stems when the blue color is fully developed but before the seed heads begin to drop. They are equally impressive utilized fresh or dried in arrangements.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Eryngium planum, commonly called sea holly, is a coarse, clump-forming perennial that features a summer bloom of steel-blue, thistle-like flower heads on branched stems rising from a rosette of dark green basal leaves. The cultivar ‘Tiny Jackpot’ maintains this structure but remains more compact, growing on strong stems to only 14” tall, with spherical, blue, thistle-like flower heads subtended by a spiky collar of blue-green bracts. The genus name references the prickly nature of these unique blooms.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
Serious insect or disease issues are rare for healthy Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’. The primary threat comes from overly wet conditions, which can quickly lead to root rot; ensure drainage is pristine to mitigate this. Watch for minor cosmetic issues like leaf spot diseases, particularly if air circulation is poor. Garden pests such as aphids, slugs, and snails may occasionally appear but rarely cause significant damage to the tough foliage.
Vigilance regarding watering is the best preventative measure against most issues. If site selection is correct—full sun and dry soil—the Sea holly should establish itself robustly, requiring little intervention throughout the growing season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Sea holly suitable for?
Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Sea holly grow?
This ‘Tiny Jackpot’ cultivar typically reaches a height of 0.5 to 1 foot and spreads between 0.5 to 1 foot wide.
When does Sea holly bloom?
The distinctive blue, thistle-like flowers of Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’ appear throughout the summer months, generally from June to August.
What sun exposure does Sea holly need?
For the best performance, strong stems, and deep blue color, this plant requires full sun exposure.
Conclusion
The Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’ offers exceptional architectural texture and resilient blue color without demanding constant attention, making it indispensable for low-maintenance, sun-drenched gardens. Featuring the unique attributes of Sea holly in a manageable size, this plant proves that toughness doesn’t mean sacrificing visual punch. Before planting, confirm your site offers full sun and impeccable drainage to ensure this tough perennial thrives for years to come.
Companion Planting
Selecting companions that also appreciate dry conditions and full sun helps maximize the natural vigor of Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’. Plants with fine texture, like Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass) or Achillea (Yarrow), create excellent textural pairings against the spikiness of the Sea holly. Avoid moisture-loving companions, as alternating high-water needs near the base of your Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’ can lead to root stress or rot.
Wildlife Benefits
The unusual structure of the blooms on Eryngium planum ‘Tiny Jackpot’ is particularly attractive to many beneficial insects, even though the bracts are spiky. The complex spherical flower heads offer an excellent landing platform and source of nectar for bees and butterflies during the peak summer heat when other flowers may be fading. Planting this Sea holly supports summer pollinator activity in dry, sunny corners of the landscape.
