About
Physic Purple' is an evergreen, herbaceous perennial with blue-green, sword-shaped leaves up to 2m long. Small, cone-like clusters of tiny red-purple flowers are produced on massive, branched flower stems up to to 4mtall, in from late summer to mid autumn.
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 moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming, Tufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Architectural, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationRequires a sheltered position in moist, well drained fertile soil in full sun
PruningCut back old flowering stems after they have finished
PropagationDivide clumps in spring, although they may be slow to re-establish, or take 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