Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Eryngium x zabelii 'Neptune's Gold'
Neptune's Gold Sea Holly
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Height
- 18 to 24 inches
- Width
- 9 to 12 inches
- Flower color
- Bright blue
- Foliage color
- Bright yellow, maturing to gold with green hues
- Bloom time
- Mid to late summer
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low; prefers well-drained, dry soils
- Maintenance
- Low; drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and benefits from deadheading to maintain appearance
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 9
- Wildlife
- Bees and butterflies
About this plant
Eryngium × zabelii 'Neptune's Gold' is a hybrid sea holly known for its distinctive golden foliage and vibrant blue blooms. Throughout the summer months, it showcases egg-shaped clusters of blue-violet flowers, each encircled by spiny, variegated bracts that transition from silvery blue at the base to gold at the tips.
'Neptune's Gold' thrives in full sun and is drought-tolerant once established. It is also deer-resistant and attracts butterflies, making it a valuable addition to gardens seeking both beauty and resilience.
Works well in
Borders · Sun Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Waterwise Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Coreopsis · Bearded irises · Bee balm · Yarrow · Ornamental grasses · Garden phlox
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.
