Eryngium pandanifolium 'Physic Purple'

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eryngo 'Physic Purple'

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eryngo 'Physic Purple' RHS

Synonyms

Eryngium pandanifolium purple

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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'Physic Purple' is an evergreen, herbaceous perennial with blue-green, sword-shaped leaves up to 2m long. Small, cone-like clusters of tiny red-purple flowers are produced on massive, branched flower stems up to to 4mtall, in from late summer to mid autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming, Tufted
Genus
Eryngium can be annuals, biennials or perennials with simple or divided leaves, often spiny edged, and cone-like flower-heads often surrounded by an involucre of conspicuous spiny bracts
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Requires a sheltered position in moist, well drained fertile soil in full sun

Propagation

Divide clumps in spring, although they may be slow to re-establish, or take root cuttings in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back old flowering stems after they have finished

Pests

May be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, and slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews