About
A sturdy clump-forming perennial with rounded, dark green basal leaves and upright, branched stems bear deeply-lobed, blue-tinged, spiny leaves and small, green flowerheads maturing to blue, providing flowers in two colours at the same time, and narrow, spiny blue-green bracts 2.5cm long, in mid to late 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
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
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 seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe; insert 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