About
This herbaceous perennial with stiff, branched stems above a basal clump of divided leaves. In mid- to late summer produces cones of tiny blue flowers surrounded by a ruff of large, intricately divided, blue bracts.
About the genus
Eryngium can be annuals, biennials or perennials with simple or divided leaves, often spiny edged, and cone-like flower-heads often surrounded by an involucre of conspicuous spiny bracts
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fairly dry, well-drained soil that is poor to moderately fertile. Full sun is essential as is protection from winter wet
PruningAlthough you can cut back flower stems after flowering the seedheads are a very attractive feature so are usually left over winter
PropagationPropagate by root cuttings in late winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, and slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews