Erinacea anthyllis
hedgehog broom
A dwarf shrub forming a dense hummock to 30cm in height, with very sparse, small leaves. Flowers 2cm in length, purplish-blue, in small clusters from late spring to early summer
Synonyms
Erinacea pungensAnthyllis erinacea
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Erinacea are dwarf, spiny, evergreen subshrubs with simple or trifoliate leaves and pea-like blue flowers borne in small clusters in the leaf axils
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- W Mediterranean
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep, gritty, very well-drained soil in full sun. Long-lived and slow-growing
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in an open frame in autumn. Propagate by rooting semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring or early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite when grown under glass
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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