Eryngium leavenworthii (False Purple Thistle)
Leavenworth's Eryngo, Eryngo, False Purple Thistle
Incredibly showy, Eryngium leavenworthii (False Purple Thistle) is a fantastic, prickly annual with a broadly branching stem clothed with deeply lobed leaves edged and tipped with stiff spines. Emerging gray-green, they turn to purple as they mature. From midsummer to early fall, royal purple, cone-shaped, thistle-like flower heads, 2.5 in. (6 cm), resembling small pineapples, are on display. Each flower head is adorned with bright blue anthers and surrounded by conspicuous spiny-tipped violet bracts. A tuft of small, rigid, spiny leaves sits atop the flower head. Almost the entire plant is covered with brilliant purple, brightening the landscape in late summer and early fall. Deer resistant, low care, heat and drought tolerant, False Purple Thistle is strikingly showy in a wildflower meadow, and terrific in a sunny gravel or rock garden. Excellent cut flowers that maintain color and shape, adding a unique touch to dried arrangements.
- Grows up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). Will self-sow in the landscape.
- Performs best in full sun to light shade in medium moisture, well-drained soils. Best in poor dry soil. Drought tolerant.
- Excellent choice for gravel gardens, cottage gardens or prairies and meadows. May be planted as a single specimen or in groupings. Perfect for cut or dried flower arrangements too!
- No serious pest or disease issues. Wear a thick pair of gloves if you need to cut the flowers. Deer resistant.
- Propagate by seed sown in fall and spring.
- Native to Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin.
Learn How To Plant, Care, and Grow Spectacular Sea Holly (Eryngium)
Attractive, Sea Holly plants (Eryngium) are striking ornamental perennials grown for their arresting, thistle-like, silvery or blue tinted flower heads adorned with a ruff of showy bracts. Blooming in summer and sometimes into fall, they are exceptionally care-free plants if they are given a well-chosen site. Here are some basic rules that need to be followed to enjoy their splendid flowers.Read More
Not sure which Eryngium - Sea Hollies to pick?
Compare All Eryngium - Sea Hollies
Buy Eryngium leavenworthii (False Purple Thistle)
Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Annuals |
Plant Family | Eryngium - Sea Hollies |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Southeast, Arkansas, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
Attracts | Bees, Birds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Nick Varvel (Flickr), Chanticleer Garden
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Annuals |
Plant Family | Eryngium - Sea Hollies |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Southeast, Arkansas, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
Attracts | Bees, Birds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |