About
A more compact variety of Sea Holly. It's green leaves have creamy edges to them and thistle-like flowers which turn from white to indigo are produced from July to August.
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, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Coastal, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants
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 stems before the flowers are fully open
PropagationInsert root cuttings in late winter; propagate 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