Eryngium leavenworthii

RHS Plant Profile
purple sheen

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Other common names

Leavenworth's eryngo, false purple thistle

Synonyms

Eryngium leavenworthii 'Purple Sheen'

Annual Biennial
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An annual plant with lobed and spiny, highly divided silvery-purple green leaves. Branching out from the stem, thimble shaped flower-heads tipped with spiky leaves and surrounded by purple bracts appear, which can also be very attractive if left on the plant after the flowering period

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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)
H5
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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
Correct
Plant Range
USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will grow well in poor, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun avoiding wet winter conditions

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sowing any time of year on peat-free compost and covering with fine grit. Germination will be quicker if seeds are kept at a temperature of between 15 and 20° C. Many seeds may not germinate the year they are sown and will need winter chilling after sowing. They should then appear in the spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back any dead foliage throughout the season and but leave spent flowers for winter interest. Cut flowers before they open for floristry purposes

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews