Plants by mail order since 1984 - over 4,100 plants online today!
Burncoose Nurseries - part of the Caerhays Estate
Nursery & Gardens open: Mon - Sat 08.30 - 16.30 & Sun 10:00 - 16:00
Pop up café: Open Daily (weather permitting) 10:00 - 15:00 & Sunday 11:00 - 15:00
Apologies, but we are currently experiencing issues with AMEX & APPLEPAY. Therefore we are unable to take these methods of payment. We are working hard to rectify this situation
  • A
    •
  • B
    •
  • C
    •
  • D
    •
  • E
    •
  • F
    •
  • G
    •
  • H
    •
  • I
    •
  • J
    •
  • K
    •
  • L
    •
  • M
    •
  • N
    •
  • O
    •
  • P
    •
  • Q
    •
  • R
    •
  • S
    •
  • T
    •
  • U
    •
  • V
    •
  • W
    •
  • X
    •
  • Y
    •
  • Z
    •
  • or use plant finder
    •
    ERYNGIUM
    ERYNGIUM
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    <
    ERYNGIUM ERYNGIUM ERYNGIUM ERYNGIUM ASTRANTIA and ERYNGIUM © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. ASTRANTIA and ERYNGIUM © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. 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 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
      Some from dry, rocky and coastal areas - others from marshy regions. Excellent for dried arrangements. Many will naturalize. Wildlife plant - bees and butterflies.
    • Place of origin
      Europe, northern Africa, Turkey, central Asia, China, Korea.
    • Deciduous
    • Evergreen
    • Herbaceous
    • Bee friendly
    • Butterfly friendly
    • Rabbit Resistant
    View Planting Tips and Care Advice
    Eryngium - Growing Guide
    Herbaceous Plants - Video Collection
    View Customers Also Bought
    Available from £17.50
    Available from £25.00
    Available from £6.00
    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 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 again from summer 2026
    Could be any time, June through to end August. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    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
    Available Early Spring 2027
    Spring according to the Met office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore early spring is early March to mid-April. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ERYNGIUM x zabelii 'Jos Eijking'
    Grows to around 3 feet in height with intensely blue stems and flowers with a steely sheen
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £14.00
    Available again from summer 2026
    Could be any time, June through to end August. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order

    Useful extras...

    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
    All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants. Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
    1 ltr
    £8.50
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    Wildflower Mini Meadow
    Creates a mini-meadow for attracting bees, butterflies and bugs to your garden. 200g sachet which will cover 3 square metres. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi.
    3m²
    £7.00
    10m²
    £15.50
    Vermin & Pest Control
    Slug Pellets
    Slug killer blue mini pellets are easy to use and give effective control of slugs and snails. Ideal in garden, conservatory or greenhouse.
    800g
    £6.50
    arrow_drop_up