Eryngium 'Sapphire Blue' is a hybrid form of Sea Holly, which is native in both the Old World and New World. This form is a hybrid from plants native in Europe, as the New World plants don't have blue flowers. Sea hollies require good winter drainage and don't like to be too crowded by their neighbors. We have planted ours in a bed with Papaver orientale, Romneya coulterii, Iris 'Pacific Coast Hybrids' and Ferula communis 'Gigantea' just off the northwest corner of the classroom. The more sun Eryngiums get, the more intense their flower color becomes. Beware of Eryngium planum which we have found to be a horrible weed in Northwest. Look for sterile hybrids, such as the one featured here.