PlantFiles: Alpine Eryngo, Alpine Sea Holly
Eryngium alpinum

This is a quite unusual plant however as I am a fan of almost ALL blue flowers I quite like this plant. It is unique and most people visiting say "huh, whats that" amazed that there is such a plant. The blue colour is amazing. It is sort of a mettalic blue. Dies of in winter in my yard. Zone 8. pokerboy

They can also be propagated by root cuttings, in the spring. This is generally thought to be easier than seeds, and less stressful for the plant than division.

Bract color changes to blue after flowering. Most of the seed of this plant is difficult to germinate unless fresh, otherwise cold stratify or sow outdoors in autumn, for germination in spring.

These unusual plants look like blue thistles.
The flowers of Alpine Sea Holly are plume-like rather than
resembling thistles. Plant them in full sun and in a
light, sandy soil. Once the plants are established they
do not like to be disturbed. The flowers may be cut for
drying when they are fully open. If faded terminal
flowers are removed the side branches will bloom.