ERYNGIUM

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 58, 5 September 1940, Page 19

ERYNGIUM

! Eryngium, or sea holly, is a hardy herbaceous plant very suitable for border planting. The thistle-like flowers and metallic blue tracts, which retain their colour for several months when cut, are a great acquisition in the garden. They flower from January throughout the summer and autumn. The plants are hot difficult to grow, but having long, thick roots they prefer a rather light, deeply-dug soil. These plants are particularly suited to gardens in coastal districts where the soil is sandy. Plant in full sun.1 They grow from three feet to four feet in height, and so should not be placed too close to the front of the bed or border, and they should be given ample space to develop without encroaching on neighbouring plants.

Eryngium may be increased either from seed, which germinates readily, or from root cuttings. Where there are established plants in the garden fresh plants may be started now by taking root cuttings and inserting them in boxes of sandy soil in""a cold frame. The cuttings should be made of pieces of root one and a half to two inches long, about as thick as a lead pencil. Once the plants are established it is .not advisable, to move them unnecessarily, as their fleshy roots are bound to be damaged in the process.