Eryngium giganteum

RHS Plant Profile
Miss Willmott's ghost

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Other common names

tall eryngo

Synonyms

Eryngium oliverianum 'Willmott's Ghost', Eryngium Miss Willmott's ghost

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Annual Biennial Herbaceous Perennial
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A robust biennial or short-lived perennial forming a rosette of heart-shaped basal leaves, and spiny stem leaves. Cone-like umbels of tiny blue flowers, sitting within a rosette of spiny silvery-grey bracts, appear in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

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

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–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)
H6
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
Caucasus, Turkey

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. Sow seeds onto moist but well-drained peat-free seed compost and cover lightly with vermiculite. Keep at a temperature of between 18-22°C

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Cut back 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