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    ERYNGIUM
    ERYNGIUM
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
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    ERYNGIUM ERYNGIUM ERYNGIUM ERYNGIUM ERYNGIUM and PEROVSKIA atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire' © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. Eryngium, Astrantia © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    >

    ERYNGIUM

    Commonly known as Alpine eryngo, Sea holly

    Genus of 230 species annuals, biennials and deciduous and evergreen perennials, some very decorative.

    Those from dry areas of Europe, northern Africa, Turkey, central Asia, China and Korea usually have tap roots. Those from wetter areas and marshy grassland in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and warm-temperate regions of North, Central and South America have fibrous roots.

    Most have spiny leaves and thistle-like flowers. They are striking plants for naturalizing and can be dried for arrangements if flowers are cut before becoming fully open.

    Many species have been used for food and medicine.

    All attract bees and other insects.

    UK native E. maritimus, Sea holly is found in sand dunes and on shingle sea shores. The roots used to be candied with sugar and orange flower water and used as an aphrodisiac.

    Field eryngo, E. campestre, a native perennial of dry, grassy places is rare and found only in the south of England.

    Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
    • Good to know
      Wildlife plant - nectar and pollen for insects.
    • Pests & Diseases
      root rot, slugs, snails, powdery mildew.
    • Place of origin
      Central and southeastern Europe
    • Deciduous
      Heart-shaped, spiny-toothed, mid-green basal leaves 8-15cm (3-6in) long.
    • Height
      70cm (28in)
    • Spread
      45cm (18in)
    • Herbaceous
      Rosette forming perennial. Cone-shaped flowers to 4cm (1½in) long with softly spiny bracts to 6cm (2½in) long.
    • Well drained, dry, poor to moderately fertile soil
    • Full sun
      Protect from winter wet.
    • Bee friendly
    • Mature Size
      70cm (28in)
      		 Herbaceous - guide for size not form Watering Can
        45cm (18in)
      		  
    View Planting Tips and Care Advice
    Eryngium - Growing Guide
    Herbaceous Plants - Video Collection
    View Customers Also Bought
    ERYNGIUM bourgatii 'Picos Blue'

    ERYNGIUM bourgatii 'Picos Blue'

    Sea holly
    Available from £14.00
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    ERYNGIUM bourgatii 'Picos Amethyst'

    ERYNGIUM bourgatii 'Picos Amethyst'

    Sea holly
    Available from £14.00
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    ERIGERON karvinskianus

    ERIGERON karvinskianus

    Wall daisy, Mexican fleabane
    Available from £5.00
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    HELIANTHEMUM 'Ben More'

    HELIANTHEMUM 'Ben More'

    Rock rose, Sun rose
    Available from £12.50
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    View Planting Combinations

    varieties
    ERYNGIUM agavifolium
    Grows up to 6 feet with tall thistle-like flowering heads
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £14.00 £10.50
    ERYNGIUM bourgatii 'Picos Amethyst'
    Purple-amethyst coloured flowers, very striking
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £14.00 £10.50
    ERYNGIUM bourgatii 'Picos Blue'
    A new introduction with darker and larger blue flowers on robust stems
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £14.00
    Available again from June 2026
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ERYNGIUM giganteum 'Miss Willmott's Ghost'
    Giant sea holly
    Grows up to 3 feet with silvery white flower heads. Will self seed readily.
     
    Seeds
    £5.00
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £14.00
    Available late spring to early summer 2026
    Spring according to the Met Office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore late spring is mid-April onwards. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ERYNGIUM serra
    Chilean sea holly
    Small green-white flowers
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £14.00
    Unavailable
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ERYNGIUM x tripartitum
    Small deep blue thistle flowers
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £14.00 £10.50

    Useful extras...

    Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
    Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
    A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
    0.9 kg
    £6.00
    Unavailable
    2.5 kg
    £13.00
    Unavailable
    4.5 kg
    £25.00
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
    Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
    Small - 60g sachet
    £3.00
    Medium - 150gm sachet
    £6.00
    Large - 360gram sachet
    £12.00
    Unavailable
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    Afterplant - Grow Your Own
    AFTER PLANT GROW YOUR OWN seaweed is ready to use liquid concentrate that was specially formulated be used on all edible plants.
    1ltr
    £8.50
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