Eryngium giganteum

Eryngium giganteum, also known as Miss Willmott's Ghost, is a tall and magnificent thistle, which forms clumps of finely cut, blue-green foliage that becomes more silvery in summer. It displays beautiful grey-blue inflorescences, shaped like cones, surrounded by stunning bracts which are light and vibrant silver and very spiny, for a long period in summer. This biennial plant generally dies after flowering, but reappears through self-seeding in light and deep soil. It is perfect in wildflower beds, stunning in fresh or dried bouquets.

Eryngium giganteum is a plant of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family, native to the Caucasus and Iran. Hardy to -20°C (-4°F), this thistle develops a rosette of deciduous, basal, heart-shaped leaves, medium green, shiny, white-veined, which take on a more greyish hue with heat. In July, grey-blue inflorescences ripen into conical and spiny cylinders, 8-10cm (3-4in) long, accompanied by cut, leathery, silver bracts, also 10cm (4in) long, all on stiff stems, bearing bluer leaves, and branched at the tips. Dried flowers last well in dried bouquets. This short-lived plant, readily self-seeds in rocky and deep soils.

Eryngium giganteum is well suited for rock gardens, flower beds, or wild gardens alongside Echinaceas, lavenders, Dianthus, Lychnis coronaria, oriental poppies, Perovskia, and Stipa. This plant is beautiful everywhere, without overshadowing other blooms. Its rapid growth is a blessing for new gardens or for filling in spaces left empty by a harsh winter. Semi-open cut flowers are splendid in dried bouquets and can be used to create wonderful table decorations for Christmas.