About
An erect, evergreen perennial, up to 1.5m tall, with strap-shaped, spiny, grey-green leaves. In summer and autumn the widely-branching, wiry stems bear many reddish-brown, cone-shaped flowerheads, each up to 3cm long.
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, 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 usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-drained, moderately fertile or poor soils in full sun
PruningCut back flower stems after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed or by division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, and slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews