Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Blue | Blue Grey Silver | Green | |
Autumn | Blue | Blue Grey Silver | Green | |
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
ExposedDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fairly dry, well-drained soil that is poor to moderately fertile. Full sun is essential as is protection from winter wet
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Gravel garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Although you can cut back flower stems after flowering the seedheads are a very attractive feature so are usually left over winter
Pests
May be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, and slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.