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Seeds of Eryngium giganteum 'Miss Willmott's Ghost' - Giant Sea Holly.

Eryngium planum
Flat Sea Holly, Blue Eryngo

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More information

This tall thistle, typically biennial, forms clumps of vibrant green heart-shaped foliage that turn silvery in summer, and displays large clusters of steel blue or pale green conical heads, surrounded by serrated and silvery bracts, very spiny. This plant often dies after flowering, but self-seeds spontaneously in light soil. Perfect in wildflower beds, in fresh or dried bouquets, of great ornamental value, it enjoys the sun and well-drained, deep, even dry, rocky and poor soil.
Flower size
10 cm
Height at maturity
80 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Annual / Perennial
Perennial
Germination time (days)
18 days
Sowing method
Sowing under cover
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Sowing period January to March
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time July to September
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

Eryngium giganteum 'Miss Willmott's Ghost', also known as Giant Sea Holly, is a large thistle, typically biennial, that forms clumps of vibrant green heart-shaped foliage that turns silver in summer. It displays large clusters of steel blue or soft green conical heads, surrounded by beautifully serrated and silver bracts, very spiny. This plant often dies after flowering, but self-seeds spontaneously in light soil. Perfect in wildflower beds, in fresh or dried bouquets, of great ornamental value, it enjoys sun and well-drained, deep, even dry, rocky and poor soils.

 

Giant Sea Holly is a plant of the Apiaceae family (Umbelliferae), native to the Caucasus and Iran. Hardy down to -20°C, this blue thistle develops a rosette of deciduous, basal, heart-shaped leaves, medium green with white veins, which turn more greyish with heat. In July, bluish-grey inflorescences at maturity form conical and spiny cylinders 10cm (3.9in) long, accompanied by cut, leathery, silver bracts also 10cm (3.9in) long, all on stiff and branched stems. The dried flowers hold up well in dried bouquets. This short-lived perennial plant, often semelparous, readily self-seeds in rocky and deep soils.

 

Eryngium giganteum is well suited for rock gardens, flower beds or wild gardens, alongside Dianthus, Perovskia, and Stipa. This plant is beautiful everywhere, without overshadowing other blooms. Its rapid growth is a blessing for brand new gardens, or to fill the spaces left empty by a harsh winter. The semi-open cut flowers are splendid in dried bouquets, and make wonderful table decorations for Christmas.

Flowering

Flower colour blue
Flowering time July to September
Inflorescence Umbel
Flower size 10 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour blue

Plant habit

Height at maturity 80 cm
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Eryngium

Species

planum

Family

Apiaceae

Other common names

Flat Sea Holly, Blue Eryngo

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference214710

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Planting and care

Sow Eryngium seeds from February to July, in trays, pots, etc. in a special sowing compost that you place in a propagator or a warm place to maintain an optimal temperature of 18-20°C. Cover the seeds with a thin film of vermiculite or compost. Do not exclude light. Germination can be slow. Enclose the sowing in a polyethylene bag and keep at 15-18°C for 2 weeks, then place it in the refrigerator (not the freezer) for 3 to 6 weeks. After this step, bring the sowing back to the recommended temperature for germination. If germination does not occur within 6 to 10 weeks, place it back in the refrigerator for another 3 to 6 weeks.

Regularly check your stored seeds in the refrigerator and immediately remove seeds showing signs of germination.

Transplant the young plants when they are large enough to handle into 8cm (3.1in) diameter pots. Let them grow in a cold frame and plant them in the garden the following spring. Maintain a spacing of 30cm (11.8in) between each plant. Choose a sunny exposure and well-drained soil.

Cultivation: Eryngium giganteum grows in deep, dry, well-drained soil, even poor and rocky in hot and sunny situations.

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Sowing period

Sowing period January to March
Sowing method Sowing under cover
Germination time (days) 18 days

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Back of border, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Dry soil, Draining, deep, even poor

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