Eryngium planum

SEA HOLLY

BULK

FLOWER FARMER’S PACK

Eryngium planum
SEA HOLLY
BULK FLOWER FARMER’S PACK

Eryngium planum produces clouds of metallic blue cones & feathery ruffs oon strong, branching stems of blooms over summer.
It gains the common name of “Flat Sea Holly” because the foliage sits flat against the ground beneath the fine, branching stems.

Clouds of metallic blue cones & feathery ruffs over summer

Clouds of metallic blue cones, silvery-blue ruffs, and even the stems, glint with silver and blue as if they have been cut from sheets blue metal.
So Eryngium planum provides cut flowers of excellent quality and quantity, for use both fresh and dried.
So they are highly prized for floristry.

Stalwart favourite of flower farmers & professional florists

Eryngium planum is a stalwart favourite for commercial flower farmers and professional florists, as well as home gardeners.
It is a winner with it’s super hardy, weatherproof growth and excellent vase life as a cut flower.

Excellent vase life

Eryngium planum naturally has an excellent vase life, though this can also be extended even further with pre-conditioning.

Conditioning for an extra long vase life as a commercial cut flower

So to pre-condition –  cut the stems from the garden right down at the base of the plant, then bring the bunch in and recut the end of the stems at an angle of 45°, under running water or with the ends of the stems submerged in a bowl.
Then immediately stand the stems deep in a container of water at room temperature, to hydrate the flowers well before use in arrangements.
The addition of flower preservative solution or sugar to the water will also help to condition the blooms for an even longer vase life.
So after 2-3 hours of conditioning the blooms are ready for use.
Fresh blooms of Eryngium planum can last up to 12-15 days in arrangements.

Wonderful dried blooms for long-term arrangements

Eryngium planum is one of the most popular commercial cut flowers for drying.
Because it retains its shimmering metallic blue colouring so well.
Simply hang harvested bunches upside down in a warm, dark, dry place and they will very successfully dry and preserve their beautiful colour well.
Or in large scale production they can be dried more quickly using silica gel, which retains vivid colouring.
Or even more rapidly dried by using a microwave with silica gel.

Super hardy and weatherproof growth

Eryngium planum is tough and relishes Full Sun and hot positions.
Where it is a water-wise plant and resistant to drought once established.
Easy-going Eryngium planum also copes in poor soils, including sandy, limestone areas and coastal positions. It can also tolerate a degree of salinity in the water or soil.
So it well earns the common name of “Sea Holly”.

Eryngium planum forms an evergreen, long-lived perennial clump, wonderfully hardy in frost, dry, heat, and salt air.
90cm. High x 45cm. Wide.

Traditional edible vegetable

Eryngium planum is relished by several traditional cultures. and has a long history as an edible vegetable.
Roots are harvested and steamed or roasted, and the flavour is reputed to be a cross between chestnuts and parsnips.
While the young shoots are blanched and eaten like asparagus.

Long history as a traditional medicine

Eryngium planum also has a long history as a herbal treatment.
So powdered root was used as an expectorant, as a diuretic, as an anti-inflammatory; and even as an aphrodisiac or treatment for snake bite (not recommended today of course).

Avoided by rabbits & deer but loved by bees & pollinators

Eryngium planum scores highly on all counts with pollinators, pests and diseases.
Because the flowers attract bees and other friendly insect pollinators with sweet nectar.
Plus the autumn seed heads (if left on over winter), are great fodder for finches and other seed eating birds.
While rabbits and deer are not attracted by the taste of Eryngium and it is rarely troubled by any pests and diseases. Win, win, win.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Sow  seeds of Eryngium planum at any time of year in punnets indoors, when suitable temperatures are available / or scatter in the garden winter-early spring. Seeds germination is improved by a period of cold.

Sow indoors for quick plants: First sow the seeds in a punnets on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Now sprinkle lightly with sieved mix, but do not bury, as these seeds need light to germinate.

Then stand the punnet in a shallow water bath and allow the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Now place the moist punnet in a warm, well lit position (but not in any direct sunlight).

Continue to keep the mix consistently moist by misting from a spray water bottle.
Covering the punnet with clear plastic lid or a plastic bag will help maintain consistent moisture.

Keep at 18-22C approx. for 2-4 weeks.
You can use a temperature controlled heat mat if you have one.

After 2-4 weeks of warmth, cling wrap the moist punnet and place it in the fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.

Then unwrap & remove to the warm, well-lit position.
Temperatures around 20C are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.

Most seedlings emerge in 5-30 days.
But do not discard the punnet too quickly, as some seeds may come later.

Prick out as seedlings as soon as possible.
Pot on into larger pots, as the seedlings grow strongly and quickly form long tap roots.

Seed Count: 300 seeds per bulk pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the seed count and give a generous serve).

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