Eryngium × olivierianum 'Violetta'

RHS Plant Profile

eryngo 'Violetta'

Other common names

sea holly 'Violetta'

Synonyms

Eryngium × zabelii 'Violetta'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A robust, clump-forming perennial with erect branched stems and spiny, highly divided silvery-green leaves. Flowering in summer, the thimble shaped flower-heads have spiky intense violet-blue bracts 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: 2–5 years
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: Accepted

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, by root cuttings in late winter and by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Gravel garden
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