How to Grow Eryngium Plants in your Garden
Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Sea Holly and Eryngo
Members of the Eryngium plant genus are hardy and half hard perennials.
They have spiny leaves of blue or grey, and spiky white or blue flowers that bloom in the second part of Summer.
Depending on the species, they can range in 30 cm to 1.2 m (1 to 4 feet) in height. They therefore make great plants if you want something a little bit unusual in the garden border.
Some common names Eryngium include Sea Holly, Spiny cilantro, and Eryngo.
Eryngium Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Eryngo, Sea Holly, Rattlesnake master.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial. Half hardy perennial.
Height: 12 to 48 inches (30 to 120 cm).
Native: Europe, Asia, Northern America.
Family: Apiaceae / Umbellifera.
Flowers: Middle to late summer.
Flower Details: White, blue, greenish. Cone-shaped. Spiky. Tight umbels.
Foliage: Prickly. Yucca-like. Silver, blue. Basel rosette.
Seed: Method 1: Seeds should first be sown into flats in the autumn. Next sink the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade, preferably close to a wall that faces north. Provide a glass/plastic covering. Keep an eye on the flats to ensure that the soil remains moist. Bring the flats indoors at the beginning of spring and keep at 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C). Transplant seedlings when they are strong.
Seed: Method 2: Mix seeds in a moist growing medium, then put in flats, wrap in a large plastic bag, then stratify by refrigeration for three weeks. Next bury the flat as described above. Once seedlings emerge transplant them to their final location.
Miscellaneous: Has long taproots. The species Eryngium yuccifolium gets its common name of Rattlesnake master because it was used as a traditional native Indian cure for snake bites in Northern America.
How to Grow Sea Holly (Eryngium)
If you plan to grow Eryngium species, such as Sea holly, from seed, then first they should be planted into a flat within a black bag (in the spring). Then place in the fridge for three weeks.
The flat should next be sunk into the ground. Dop this in a shady location of the garden. Germination usually takes anything from one to ten weeks.
Once the Sea Holly seedlings have emerged, they should be transplanted into an area of the garden that is located in a sunny area, and that has good drainage.
Sea Holly likes to grow in a soil that is light and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5 to 7). It is best to space smaller Eryngium at about 40 cm (16 inches) apart and larger ones at between 75 and 90 cm apart (30 to 36 inches).
Caring for Erysimum plants in the Garden
If you require more Eryngium plants, then cuttings can be taken in the spring.
Sea holly plants can pretty much look after themselves, but give them a little water in prolonged dry spells. you may need to stake larger varieties to protect them from the wind.
I hope that you found this guide on how to grow Eryngium plants in your garden. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Ammi majus, Fennel plant, and Myrrhis plants.
If you enjoy the information on this site, then you'll love my book: The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide. Available for Kindle (MOBI), iPad (ePub) and as a PDF.
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