Eryngium giganteum ‘Miss Wilmott’s Ghost’ seeds – (Giant Sea Holly)

Description

This plant is spectacular, with unusual metallic silvery grey leaves, stems and flowers. It has a green cone in the centre of the flower. It shines in the garden, and reaches its peak in late summer, when all else is becoming untidy and faded. The flowers are excellent for cutting, fresh or dried.
It has its name from the tale that English plantswoman Ellen Willmott used to secretly scatter seeds of this plant while visiting other peoples’ gardens, since she liked the plant so much.
In summer it produces large heads of lovely lime-green flowers with blue stamens backed by large and conspicuous bracts, the whole later developing a shining silvery hue.

The “giganteum” refers to the flower heads which are large, and not to the plant which usually grows to approx 90 cm high. Prefers full sun in a light well-drained soil. Will tolerate very light shade. Plant into final position while the plant is young. The roots are often several feet long and do not like to be disturbed. Flower stems may be cut back after flowering but the seedheads are attractive and could be left over winter. Cut flowers before fully open if you wish to dry them. Divide in early spring or autumn, be gentle, the plant does not like root disturbance. It will need to be protected from winter wetness, and is drought tolerant once established. Will self-seed.

Sowing advice

Sow Spring and early Summer
Surface sow onto moist well-drained seed compost. Just cover with potting mix. Propagate 18-22°C. for 2-4 weeks. Do not exclude light. Germination can be slow. Seal seed container in a polythene bag and leave for 2 further weeks, then cold stratify. Move to a fridge 4°C for 3-6 weeks. After this return to warmth but no more than 18°C. If germination does not occur within 6-10 weeks return to fridge for further 3-6 weeks. Examine regularly whilst in fridge and immediately remove any seeds which show signs of germination. Move to 8cm pots. Acclimatise and plant out when large enough.