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Eryngium leavenworthii (False Purple Thistle)

Leavenworth's Eryngo, Eryngo, False Purple Thistle

Eryngium leavenworthii, Leavenworth's Eryngo, Eryngo, False Purple Thistle, Purple flowers, Purple perennials
Eryngium leavenworthii, Leavenworth's Eryngo, Eryngo, False Purple Thistle, Purple flowers, Purple perennials
Eryngium leavenworthii, Leavenworth's Eryngo, Eryngo, False Purple Thistle, Purple flowers, Purple perennials
Eryngium leavenworthii, Leavenworth's Eryngo, Eryngo, False Purple Thistle, Purple flowers, Purple perennials

Incredibly showy, Eryngium leavenworthii (False Purple Thistle) is a fantastic, prickly annual with a broadly branching stem clothed with deeply lobed leaves edged and tipped with stiff spines. Emerging gray-green, they turn to purple as they mature. From midsummer to early fall, royal purple, cone-shaped, thistle-like flower heads, 2.5 in. (6 cm), resembling small pineapples, are on display. Each flower head is adorned with bright blue anthers and surrounded by conspicuous spiny-tipped violet bracts. A tuft of small, rigid, spiny leaves sits atop the flower head. Almost the entire plant is covered with brilliant purple, brightening the landscape in late summer and early fall. Deer resistant, low care, heat and drought tolerant, False Purple Thistle is strikingly showy in a wildflower meadow, and terrific in a sunny gravel or rock garden. Excellent cut flowers that maintain color and shape, adding a unique touch to dried arrangements.

  • Grows up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). Will self-sow in the landscape.
  • Performs best in full sun to light shade in medium moisture, well-drained soils. Best in poor dry soil. Drought tolerant.
  • Excellent choice for gravel gardens, cottage gardens or prairies and meadows. May be planted as a single specimen or in groupings. Perfect for cut or dried flower arrangements too!
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Wear a thick pair of gloves if you need to cut the flowers. Deer resistant.
  • Propagate by seed sown in fall and spring.
  • Native to Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin.

Learn How To Plant, Care, and Grow Spectacular Sea Holly (Eryngium)


Attractive, Sea Holly plants (Eryngium) are striking ornamental perennials grown for their arresting, thistle-like, silvery or blue tinted flower heads adorned with a ruff of showy bracts. Blooming in summer and sometimes into fall, they are exceptionally care-free plants if they are given a well-chosen site. Here are some basic rules that need to be followed to enjoy their splendid flowers.

Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Plant Type Annuals
Plant Family Apiaceae
Genus Eryngium
Common names Sea Holly
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Bees, Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, Prairie and Meadow
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Eryngium (Sea Holly)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Eryngium amethystinum (Amethyst Sea Holly)
Eryngium planum ‘Blue Cap’ (Flat Sea Holly)
Eryngium alpinum (Alpine Sea Holly)
Eryngium alpinum ‘Blue Star’ (Alpine Sea Holly)
Eryngium x tripartitum (Tripartite Sea Holly)
Eryngium x oliverianum (Oliver Sea Holly)

Recommended Companion Plants

Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)
Yucca rostrata (Beaked Yucca)
Papaver rhoeas (Flanders Poppy)
Agave americana (Century Plant)

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Eryngium (Sea Holly)
Eryngium bourgatii (Mediterranean Sea Holly)
Eryngium planum (Flat Sea Holly)
Learn How To Plant, Care, and Grow Spectacular Sea Holly (Eryngium)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Plant Type Annuals
Plant Family Apiaceae
Genus Eryngium
Common names Sea Holly
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Bees, Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Eryngium (Sea Holly)
Not sure which Eryngium (Sea Holly) to pick?
Compare Now

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