About
A perennial to 1m with strong, branching, upright, silver-blue stems arising from a basal rosette of mid-green rounded leaves. Cone-shaped clusters of small, blue flowers surrounded by pointed, silver-blue bracts, are produced on all the branch tips in summer.
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
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in dry, well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun, with protection from winter wet
PruningTidy plants after flowering; ideal for flower arranging - cut the stems before the flowers are fully open
PropagationPropagate by root cuttings in late winter, or by division in spring, although they may be slow to re-establish
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, and slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews