About
A compact perennial, to about 30cm tall, with a clump of rounded basal leaves. Erect, branched stems bear deeply-lobed, silvery blue-green, spiny leaves and small, blue, terminal flowerheads with narrow, spiny bracts, 2.5cm long, in summer and early 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 moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
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 usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, 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 during 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