About
An upright, herbaceous perennial to 75cm with spiky, highly-divided, silvery-green foliage. The stiff, branched stems are topped with blue, thimble-shaped flowerheads surrounded by a ruff of prickly, silvery-blue bracts.
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, East-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 usesGravel garden, Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Prairie planting
Care notes
CultivationGrow in dry, well-drained soil that is poor to moderately fertile. Full sun is essential as is protection from winter wet
PruningAlthough you can cut back flower stems after flowering the seedheads are a very attractive feature so are usually left over winter
PropagationPropagate by root cuttings in late winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews