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Eryngium guatemalense (Guatemalan sea holly)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
0.75m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Eryngium guatemalense
Other names
Guatemalan sea holly, Guatemalan eryngo, Eryngium cymosum
Genus
Eryngium Eryngium
Species
E. guatemalense - E. guatemalense is a rosette-forming, tender to borderline hardy, semi-evergreen perennial with spiny, strap-shaped, mid-green leaves and, from summer into autumn, an upright, sturdy, branching stems bearing dense, conical umbels of brown-black flowers surrounded by linear, spiny, grey-green bracts.
Eryngium guatemalense is: Evergreen
Habit
Rosette, Erect flower stem
Flower
Black in Summer; Black in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Leaf and bud eelworms Leaf and bud eelworms
Foot and root rot , Powdery mildew Foot and root rot , Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Cut back flower stems after flowering, or leave the seedheads for winter interest.
Propagation
Sow seed in autumn in a cold frame. Divided in spring but due to its tap root, divisions are slow to establish.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Eryngium guatemalense (Guatemalan sea holly) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.75m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Gravel, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil that does not dry out. Protect with a thick, dry winter mulch or, in cold areas, overwinter indoors.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Eryngium guatemalense
Other names
Guatemalan sea holly, Guatemalan eryngo, Eryngium cymosum
Genus
Eryngium Eryngium
Species
E. guatemalense - E. guatemalense is a rosette-forming, tender to borderline hardy, semi-evergreen perennial with spiny, strap-shaped, mid-green leaves and, from summer into autumn, an upright, sturdy, branching stems bearing dense, conical umbels of brown-black flowers surrounded by linear, spiny, grey-green bracts.
Native to
Central America
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Rosette, Erect flower stem
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Colour
Flower
Black in Summer; Black in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
Foot and root rot , Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Cut back flower stems after flowering, or leave the seedheads for winter interest.
Propagation
Sow seed in autumn in a cold frame. Divided in spring but due to its tap root, divisions are slow to establish.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Eryngium guatemalense (Guatemalan sea holly) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.75m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Gravel, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil that does not dry out. Protect with a thick, dry winter mulch or, in cold areas, overwinter indoors.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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