About
Eryngium, the sea hollies, are rosette-forming biennials and perennials with architectural, spiny-margined leaves and distinctive thistle-like flowerheads surrounded by spiny, often metallic-blue, silver or purple bracts. Long-lasting and ornamental at every stage of growth, they are excellent for sunny, well-drained borders.
About the genus
Eryngium, the sea hollies, are biennials and perennials with spiny-margined, often architectural leaves and distinctive, dome-shaped flowerheads surrounded by spiny bracts, often in metallic shades of blue, silver or purple. Drought-tolerant and ornamental, they are grown in sunny, well-drained borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal
Native toArgentina
Care notes
CultivationGrow in dry, well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun. Protect from winter wet
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed or division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, and slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews