Eryngium giganteum
Miss Willmott's ghost
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.
Eryngium giganteum is also commonly 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 when planted in bold clumps among grasses. Cone flowers are also perfect for use in dried flower arrangements. This variety is biennial, but self-seeds freely.
Eryngium giganteum is also commonly 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 when planted in bold clumps among grasses. Cone flowers are also perfect for use in dried flower arrangements. This variety is biennial, but self-seeds freely.
How to care for Eryngium giganteum:
Eryngium thrives in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil, ideally in full sun, while avoiding areas prone to wet winter conditions.
To enhance winter interest in your garden, resist cutting back the striking flower heads in autumn; instead, leave them to add structure through the colder months.
In spring, trim back the old stems to make way for fresh growth from the emerging foliage, ensuring the plant remains healthy and vigorous for the new season.
To enhance winter interest in your garden, resist cutting back the striking flower heads in autumn; instead, leave them to add structure through the colder months.
In spring, trim back the old stems to make way for fresh growth from the emerging foliage, ensuring the plant remains healthy and vigorous for the new season.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.9m
Eventual spread:
0.3m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
-
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
9cm pot
£12.99
available to order from spring
Unavailable
3 × 9cm pots
£29.99
£10.00 each
available to order from spring
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6 × 9cm pots
£44.99
£7.50 each
available to order from spring
Unavailable
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