Overview
Eryngium 'Blue Spikes' is a bushy, clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Eryngium, part of the Apiaceae family, with semi evergreen foliage. Eryngium 'Blue Spikes' grows best in full sun, and tolerates sand soils and alkaline and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include gravel garden, coastal, cottage and informal garden and wildlife gardens.
About
Eryngium 'Blue Spikes' is a herbaceous perennial cultivar of the Eryngium genus, known for its bushy, clump-forming habit and semi-evergreen foliage. Like other Eryngiums, it features cone-shaped flower heads surrounded by spiny bracts, adding architectural interest in summer and autumn. This cultivar thrives in full sun with well-drained, sandy, alkaline or neutral soil, making it suitable for gravel gardens, coastal areas, and wildlife-friendly spaces. Hardy to UK zone H5, it can be propagated by seed, root cuttings in late winter, or division in spring.
About the genus
Eryngium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae. There are about 250 species. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, with centres of diversity in the western Mediterranean, South America and Mexico.
Wikipedia contributors, "Eryngium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Eryngium
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Eryngium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Eryngium 'Blue Spikes' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Gravel garden, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Eryngium 'Blue Spikes'
- Propagation
- Seed, Root cuttings in late winter, Division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Leaf and bud eelworms, Slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- Root rot, Powdery mildews
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Eryngium 'Blue Spikes'?
Eryngium 'Blue Spikes' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Eryngium 'Blue Spikes' need?
Eryngium 'Blue Spikes' grows best in sand soil. It prefers alkaline and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Eryngium 'Blue Spikes' hardy in the UK?
Eryngium 'Blue Spikes' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Eryngium 'Blue Spikes'?
Seed, Root cuttings in late winter, Division in spring.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Eryngium genus
- Eryngium agavifoliumSea Holly
- Eryngium alpinumalpine eryngo
- Eryngium amethystinumamethyst eryngo
- Eryngium bromeliifoliumpineapple-leaved eryngo
- Eryngium campestrefield eryngo
- Eryngium eburneum
- Eryngium horridumSea Holly
- Eryngium maritimumsea eryngo
