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<i>Eryngium giganteum</i>
<i>Eryngium giganteum</i>

Eryngium giganteum

Miss Willmott's ghost

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Easily recognised by their ruff of spiky bracts surrounding a prominent, cone-like centre of tiny flowers, sea hollies make a...

9cm pot
£12.99
available to order from autumn
3 × 9cm pots
£27.99 £9.33 each
available to order from autumn
1

Pot size guide

Delivery options

Standard £5.99

Plant description

Easily recognised by their ruff of spiky bracts surrounding a prominent, cone-like centre of tiny flowers, sea hollies make a bold statement in a sunny border or gravel garden. This variety is also known as 'Miss Willmott's Ghost', after the nineteenth-century gardener, Ellen Willmott, who liked to secretly scatter seeds of the plant in other people's gardens. The name could equally apply to the plant's appearance, with its ruff of large, prickly, steely-grey bracts that shine a ghostly silver in the sun. The marbled, heart-shaped foliage is attractive too, and shown off to best effect planted in gravel. Or try this eryngium in bold clumps among grasses. Eryngiums are also perfect for use in dried flower arrangements. This variety is biennial, but self-seeds freely.

Eventual height & spread

Eventual height and spread

Flowering period

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Plant features

Position

Full sun

Rate of growth

Average

Soil

Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Hardiness

Fully hardy

How to care for Eryngium giganteum:

Plant Eryngium in full sun and well-drained soil in a location away from the edge of a border or path as their spikes can be quite sharp. They work well in gravel gardens and are drought tolerant once established. Avoid the temptation to cut back the flower-heads in autumn as they provide interest in the winter garden. Cut down tired or tatty stems and foliage in early February.

Please note:

This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

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