A very hardy perennial or occasionally biennial plant, Eryngium is the perfect plant for poor, dry soil, seaside salt exposure and long-lasting architectural brilliance. The flowers are held on strong upright stems surrounded by prickly bracts and often change colour as the season progresses. Bees in particular are drawn to the nectar and pollen rich heads and, if left up during the Winter, it will provide seed heads for the birds. It also looks striking when covered in a twinkling of frost.

Naturally drought tolerant it will take to our hotter and drier Summers easily. The only thing it doesn’t like is shade and Winter wet. Faded flowers can be cut back to encourage a second blooming and it makes a dramatic if somewhat imposing cut flower.

Eryngium 'Picos Amethyst' really stands out from the crowd for its stunning deep blue petite flowers, each distinguished by a ruff of long jagged bracts. But even before the flowers appear on sturdy reddish blue stems from late summer into August, its spiny green foliage with bold white markings draws the eye, providing interesting contrast and texture with surrounding plants.

Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' really lives up to its name, the intensity of blue on the large flower heads is stunning.

Eryngium giganticum is a stunning plant with large silver bracts surrounding white thistle flowers in summer. Its great plant for the middle of the border and is a self-seeding biennial which requires full sun and well-drained soil.

Eryngium x zabelii 'Jos Eijking' makes good leaf clumps to about 30cm high with the flowers held on strong stems which also turn to an electric blue, adding to the striking effect in a border.

Eryngium 'Neptunes Gold' has flower spikes, stems and flower bracts that start the season golden yellow, but then as the thistle cone starts to become blue the flower bracts and stems start to turn blue as well.

Have a look at our website to see the range of Eryngium we offer. Genus - Eryngium (hardysplants.co.uk)

Pair them with other, drought tolerant beauties like, Achillea, Baptisia, Erigeron, Lychnis, Gaillardia, Dahlia, Echinacea, Iris and grasses.

Eryngiums are architectural plants that support both pollinators and birds and look wonderful frosted.