Overview
Eryngium bromeliifolium is a clump-forming, upright and branching; some form basal rosettes perennial in the genus Eryngium, part of the Apiaceae family, with deciduous or evergreen; leathery, often spiny, sometimes marbled or silver-veined foliage. Eryngium bromeliifolium grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and neutral to alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4-H7. Suggested uses include rock gardens, gravel gardens, borders and drought-tolerant plantings.. It is native to Mexico.
About
Eryngium bromeliifolium is a clump-forming perennial in the Apiaceae with leathery, often spiny leaves that give it its common name. It flowers from June to September. Suited to sharply drained, neutral to alkaline soils on a south- or west-facing, exposed site.
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
In the garden
Eryngium bromeliifolium originates from Mexico and belongs to the genus Eryngium within the Apiaceae. It forms upright, branching clumps or basal rosettes with leathery, sometimes marbled or silver-veined leaves. Flowering occurs between June and September, adding a late-summer season of interest to gravel or rock plantings. Plant it in full sun on poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained sand, chalk or gravel; neutral to alkaline conditions suit it best. Winter wet is fatal, so choose a free-draining position and avoid waterlogged hollows. The UK hardiness range H4–H7 means it is average to fully hardy across much of the country and tolerates exposed, south- or west-facing sites where drainage is assured. Use Eryngium bromeliifolium in rock gardens, gravel gardens, borders and drought-tolerant schemes where gritty soil prevents root saturation. It performs well on banks or raised gravel beds that shed winter rainfall rather than in low-lying ground. For reliable overwinter survival give priority to exposure and drainage rather than feeding or fine soil preparation.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Eryngium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained sand, chalk or gravel
- Soil pH
- Neutral to alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Well drained to dry; winter wet is fatal
- Aspect
- South or west facing
- Exposure
- Exposed
- UK hardiness
- H4-H7
Plant details
Eryngium bromeliifolium size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Habit
- Clump-forming, upright and branching; some form basal rosettes
- Foliage
- Deciduous or evergreen; leathery, often spiny, sometimes marbled or silver-veined
- Suggested uses
- Rock gardens, gravel gardens, borders, drought-tolerant plantings.
- Native to
- Mexico
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Eryngium bromeliifolium
- Cultivation
- Give them the hottest, poorest, best-drained position in the garden. Rich soil produces soft growth that flops and rots, so resist feeding. Most resent disturbance because of a long taproot, which is also what makes them genuinely drought-tolerant once settled - plant young and leave alone. Excellent in gravel gardens and on thin chalk.
- Pruning
- Cut spent stems back in early spring rather than autumn, since the dried heads are among the best winter silhouettes in the border.
- Propagation
- Sow seed fresh in autumn, as germination becomes erratic once stored. Root cuttings taken in winter are the reliable route for cultivars; division rarely succeeds given the taproot.
- Pest resistance
- Slugs damage young growth, particularly on the rosette-forming species; otherwise little troubled.
- Disease resistance
- Healthy where drainage is adequate. Root and crown rot follow winter waterlogging, which is by far the commonest cause of loss.
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Eryngium bromeliifolium?
Give them the hottest, poorest, best-drained position in the garden. Rich soil produces soft growth that flops and rots, so resist feeding. Most resent disturbance because of a long taproot, which is also what makes them genuinely drought-tolerant once settled - plant young and leave alone. Excellent in gravel gardens and on thin chalk.
Where is the best place to plant Eryngium bromeliifolium?
Eryngium bromeliifolium prefers full sun. It suits exposed positions.
What soil does Eryngium bromeliifolium need?
Eryngium bromeliifolium is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including poor to moderately fertile, sharply drained sand and chalk or gravel. It prefers neutral to alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays well drained to dry; winter wet is fatal.
How do I prune Eryngium bromeliifolium?
Cut spent stems back in early spring rather than autumn, since the dried heads are among the best winter silhouettes in the border.
Is Eryngium bromeliifolium hardy in the UK?
Eryngium bromeliifolium has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Eryngium bromeliifolium?
Sow seed fresh in autumn, as germination becomes erratic once stored. Root cuttings taken in winter are the reliable route for cultivars; division rarely succeeds given the taproot.
More in the Eryngium genus
- Eryngium agavifoliumSea Holly
- Eryngium eburneum
- Eryngium horridumSea Holly
- Eryngium planum 'Blaue Kappe'Blue Eryngo
- Eryngium planum 'Seven Seas'Blue Eryngo
- Eryngium proteiflorumprotea-like-flowered eryngo
- Eryngium serraSea Holly
- Eryngium variifoliumvariable-leaved eryngo
