Eryngium
( ehr - RIN - jee - um )
At-A-Glance InformationAlso called Sea Holly or Amethyst Eryngium, this genus of annuals, biennials and perennials need full sun and have varying water requirements depending on the species. The flowers will attract bees and other pollinators to your garden, producing thistle-like stalks and flowers with showy bracts. They are summertime bloomers for the most part, and the upper parts of the plant may be dusted in silver or tinted blue or purple. They are fantastic for rock gardens and along beach walkways, and are great choices for dried flower arrangements.
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Eryngium Species and Varietals
Sea Holly grows best in zones 2-24, though some species have more specific zone requirements. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Eryngium alpinum (Alpine Sea Holly, Apline Eryngo, Queen of the Alps) This perennial is native to southeastern Europe and gets 2.5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide, bearing upper leaves and stems that are tinted blue. Flower heads are conical, and surrounded by bracts. Variety 'Blue Star' has prominent metallic-blue flowers and leaves. This species can tolerate light shade and needs regular water. |
Eryngium amethystinum (Amethyst Eryngo, Italian Eryngo, Amethyst Sea Holly) This perennial grows best in zones 1-24 and hails from Italy and the Balkans. Gets 2.5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide, with green leaves and silvery blue stems. Flower heads are amethyst in color, and are surrounded by silvery-blue bracts. These will attract butterflies to your garden and need moderate amounts of water for best performance. |
Eryngium aquaticum (Rattlesnake Master, Marsh Rattlesnake Master, Corn-Snakeroot, Bitter Snakeroot, Marsh Eryngo) Native to eastern areas of North America, this species reaches up to 6 feet tall and prefers to grow in wet soils around bogs, marshes, and ditches. Flower inflorescences are white to blue with spiny, blue-tinged bracts. These plants are commonly used in dried flower arrangements and as garden ornamentals around water features. |
Eryngium aristulatum (California Eryngo, Jepson's Button Celery) This California and Baja California native plant grows in wet areas, such as near natural pools and in floodplain meadows. It is also found in wooded forest areas, marshes and wetlands. They can reach a bit over 3 feet tall when mature, and produce white-petaled flowers with purple styles and spiky bracts. The typical blooming period for this species is from June through August. |
Eryngium articulatum (Beethistle, Jointed Coyote Thistle) Native to an area spanning from California through Idaho, this species grows in marshes and along riverbanks. These plants reach over three feet tall when mature, and produce rounded egg-shaped flower heads. Blooms are tiny and lavender-colored, tucked in amongst greyish-green bracts. |
Eryngium baldwinii (Baldwin's Eryngo, Kissing Comfits) This spreading groundcover species of Eryngium produces tiny light blue flower heads and prefers moist soil and a lot of sun. These plants are native to Florida and Georgia, and the species is named for American physician and botanist William Baldwin). |
Eryngium constancei (Loch Lomond Button Celery, Loch Lomond Coyote Thistle) This species is native to northern areas of the San Francisco Bay area in Northern California, appearing in vernal pools. It is an endangered species of Eryngium. These plants reach between 8 and 12 inches tall at maturity, and produces white flowers with sharp bracts. |
Eryngium foetidum (Culantro, False Coriander, Long Coriander, Burmese Coriander, Sawtooth Coriander, Ngo Gai, Cimarron, Recao, Chardon Beni, Bandhaniya, ) This is a biennial plant, but is grown as an annual (if temperatures drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit). These plants grow best in zones 4-9, 12-24, H1 and H2 and are native to the tropical parts of the Americas. They reach 2 feet tall and wide, and produce rosettes of leaves that sprout flowering stems with dark green flower heads. This species needs fertile soil and regular water. The plants are fragrant, reminiscent of cilantro, and the succulent leaves can be used as a substitute for the herb. |
Eryngium giganteum (Miss Wilmott's Ghost) This is a biennial or short-lived perennial, native to the Caucasus and Iran. These plants reach 3-4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Medium green leaves and pale green flower heads surrounded by silvery bracts create a nice contrast. These plants will die off after flowers expire, but reseed well and will return the next growing season. They need fertile soil and regular waterings. |
Eryngium leavenworthii (Leavenwoth's Eryngo) Native to the central United States, this species of Eryngo reaches up to 3 feet tall and prefers to grow in prairies, fields, and open woodland areas. Typically, flowers emerge between the months of July and September, but they are known to flower as late as November. Flowers are purple to wine-colored and have purple bracts. The species is named for its discoverer of record, Melines Conklin Leavenworth. |
Eryngium mathiasiae (Mathias' Eryngo, Mathias' Button Celery) Named for Californian botanist Mildred Esther Mathias, this species is endemic to the Modoc Plateau in northeastern California. These plants prefer to grow in vernal pools and ditches, and reach around 12 and 16 inches tall when mature. Flowers are greenish-white and inflorescences are surrounded by sharp bracts. |
Eryngium pandanifolium (Pandan-Like-Leaved Eryngo) Native to Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina, this species has been introduced to and is thriving in Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal. It is classified as an invasive species in some areas of the world, so check with your local authority before importing or planting. These are interesting pants that form basal tufts of strappy light green foliage and produce purple flowers. |
Eryngium pendleteonense (Pendleton Button-Celery) Endemic to San Diego County, California, this species of Eryngo grows in moist coastal grasslands and coastal sage scrub habitats. It was first described in 1999 and is a low-grower that spreads to about 16 inches wide. These plants can form small colonies of a few individuals, which appear as one plant. This species is considered rare and critically imperiled. |
Eryngium pinnatisectum (Tuolumne Eryngo, Tuolumne Button Celery) This uncommon species is native to the counties of Amador, Sacramento, Calaveras, and Tuolumne in California. Individual plants reach up to a foot and a half tall, and have pale greenish-white flowers that bloom from May through August. This species is considered endangered due to habitat loss. |
Eryngium planum (False Sea Holly, Blue Eryngo, Flat Sea Holly) This species is a perennial that gets to 3 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide. It is native to Europe and Asia, and has deep green leaves on tinted-blue stems. Flower heads are light blue, surrounded by narrow blue-green bracts. Varieties include 'Blaukappe' (with intense blue color), and 'Silver Salentino' (with silvery white blooms). This species requires moderate water for best performance. |
Eryngium racemosum (Delta Eryngo, Delta Button Celery) Native to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in California, this species is considered critically imperiled due to habitat destruction and competition from non-native species in its native area. These plants are mostly prostrate, spreading to reach about a foot and a half wide. Stems can root at nodes if grown in moist soil. Flowers are white to purple-tinged and are surrounded by spiny bracts. |
Eryngium varlifolium (Moroccan Sea Holly) This perennial grows best in zones 4-9 and 14-24 and is native to Morocco. It gets 1.5 feet tall and just 10 inches wide. Leaves are a bit fleshy, and are a marbled dark green. Stems are stiff and silver-blue, holding blue-grey flower heads surrounded by silvery bracts. This species needs moderate to regular water. |
Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master, Button Snakeroot, Button Eryngo) This species is perennial and is native to the central and eastern united states, growing to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Blue-gray leaves reach over three feet long, and stems are strong and have a branching habit. White-green to pale blue flowers do not have showy bracts. These need fertile soil and regular waterings. |
Caring for Eryngium
Eryngium with taproots need protection from excessive wintertime water. Those with fibrous root systems prefer moist, well-draining soils. Soe will reseed vigorously.
Harvesting Eryngium
Harvesting Eryngium
Propagation
Taproot forms are difficult to divide, but can be propagated this way. Also by seeding in place. Some species will reseed vigorously.
Problems and Pests
snails and slugs
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 307-308, Eryngium
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