Eryngium pandanifolium

RHS Plant Profile

pandan-like-leaved eryngo

Synonyms

Eryngium decaisneanum misapplied

Herbaceous Perennial

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An imposing plant, forming a dense clump of large, sword-shaped, spiny-margined blue-green leaves, to 1.5m. In late summer it produces stems to 2.5m, with axillary branches for their whole length, bearing many small, round, purplish-grey flower heads, which may mature to chocolate brown if not effected by frost

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 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 East–facing or West–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: Correct
Plant Range: South America

How to Grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Architectural
Coastal
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