Eryngium proteiflorum

RHS Plant Profile

protea-like-flowered eryngo

Synonyms

Eryngium Delaroux

Herbaceous Perennial

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
3 Suppliers

An evergreen perennial with rosettes of strap-shaped, arching, grey-green, spiny-edged leaves. In late summer and autumn strong, upright stems support clusters of flowerheads each consisting of a large, blue-green central cone surrounded by a ruff of broad, spiny, silver bracts. Individual rosettes die after flowering

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: 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): 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
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: Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in dry, well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun. Protect from winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Carefully remove dead rosettes after flowering

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews