Eryngium pandanifolium (Giant Sea Holly)

One of the largest of the Eryngiums, Eryngium pandanifolium (Giant Sea Holly) is an evergreen perennial forming a bold rosette of narrowly sword-shaped, spiky-margined, arching, blue-green leaves. From mid-summer to early fall, it produces tall stems bearing towering umbels of small, tight, egg-shaped reddish-purple flower heads. They may turn chocolate brown if not damaged by frost. Attractive to bees and butterflies but deer resistant, this fast-growing and imposing Sea Holly adds a dramatic architectural presence in the garden.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows in clumps of stiffly erect, branched stems up to 7-8 ft. tall (210-240 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm)
• Performs best in full sun in moist, well-drained soils. Best situated in a sheltered site where it has some protection from the prevailing winds.
• Excellent choice for beds and borders, cottage gardens and coastal gardens. May be planted as a single specimen or in groupings.
• Cut back old flowering stems after they have finished
• Watch for leaf and bud eelworms, powdery mildew and root rot.
• Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Divide clumps in spring, although they may be slow to re-establish, or take root cuttings in late winter
• Propagate by root cuttings in late winter
• Native to South America