About
A herbaceous perennial, to about 50cm tall, with marbled green and white leaves and very stiff, branching stems, flushed with blue and dark red, that bear tight clusters of tiny blue flowers surrounded by deep blue, spiny 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
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Coastal, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in 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