Compact and attractive, small, sea holly with leaves painted silver in intriguing patterns and, in mid summer, cream to steely blue flowers, thistle-like and strange, as if made of industrial steel. To 18 tall and spreading more widely. Though looking very like a dryland plant, these are quite happy in poorly drained soils and prefer regular summer water in almost full sun. Best left undisturbed after planting. Frost hardy to at least USDA zone 5.