Eryngium

[Maggiethecat]

Does anyone grow them? I really like the look of them and have ordered seeds and just want to know if they’re an easy plant.

They are not happy with me but I am on a rich loam. And to be honest I would get small plants to start with rather than seed.

Agree with previous poster. Invest in young plants and then possibly expand your collection by seed if they like you.
I have terrible trouble with the name...get confused with eryngium, erigeron and ...mind gone blank...the blue globe flower which bees love.

Echinops

Like PPs I have never succeeded in growing them from seed but have had success with seedlings - both Echinops and Eryngium. I love them as I've always had a thing about blue flowers. The bees go absolutely insane for them!

Trust me to do it the hard way 😂

And me 😬 I've got some seeds to try this year too. I figured for a couple of quid it was worth a go!

I bought one a couple of years ago, which I planted in a flower bed. That one is still going but not particularly well, and it's offspring has decided to grow enthusiastically out of the wall by the doorstep. So they can have a mind of their own.

It’s worth doing a bit of research. Most are very fussy about well drained soil in full sun, others are ok in loam or in partial shade. There was an article in tge RHS magazine a few months ago. I can’t find an overview on line, so if your soil is not free draining and you’re not planting in sun, it’s a matter of googling species individually.

Eryngium maritinum, sea holly, is a British native, growing on sandy beaches above the high tide mark

I grew some from seed, from a mixed packet. The prettier ones grew for about 8 years in pots, one species with linear leaves about 2ft long is still going in clay in a north facing garden but hasn’t flowered.

That’s how I feel too! 150 seed for a couple of quid.

Eryngium Planum. I’m going to put some in the ground and some in pots and see how I get on.

@TonTonMacoute - Happy to report that seeds sown on 8/3 have germinated! Heavily invested now 😊

I got some in the Wilko closing down sale, about 20p I think. Going to give them a try , but I have clay soil so not convinced they will do well, but every time I see them I think they are really attractive.

Oh excellent news, well done! Will they flower this year do you think?

I had two in pots, but they haven't survived the winter unfortunately. I might have another go at growing from seed.

My soil is not clay, but it is very wet and heavy and quite like a clay soil. My heart always sinks when I see 'thrives in well drained soil'.

Might be worth trying some in pots.

Have no idea! I’ll find my sunniest spot for them though and will report back.