Eryngium giganteum ‘Miss Willmott’s Ghost’ is a spectacular sea holly with striking, metallic silver-blue flower heads surrounded by dramatic, sharply pointed bracts. Its sculptural flowers and silvery foliage bring wonderful texture and architectural interest to summer borders, contrasting beautifully with softer cottage garden planting.
This hardy biennial typically produces a leafy plant in its first year before flowering in its second, reaching approximately 60–80cm tall. Particularly attractive to pollinators, its distinctive flower heads are also excellent for cutting and drying, retaining their unusual silvery appearance in everlasting arrangements.
When to Sow: Sep - Oct & Feb - Apr (best for natural cold stratification); sow immediately upon receipt at any time of year
HOW TO SOW:
SEEDS REQUIRE DAMP STRATIFICATION.
Sow seeds as soon as possible after receipt onto moist, free-draining seed compost and cover lightly with vermiculite. Autumn sowing allows seeds to experience natural winter cold.
Keep trays outdoors in a sheltered position or in an unheated greenhouse, ensuring the compost remains moist but not waterlogged. Germination can be slow and irregular, particularly where seeds require cold stratification. Seeds sown during warmer months may remain dormant until after the following winter. Pot on seedlings as they emerge and grow on before planting out in a sunny, well-drained position.
Avoid artificial heat, as this may cause deeper dormancy. Pot on seedlings once established and plant out into well-drained soil in a sunny position
Classification: Hardy Perennial
Expert Level: Some experience required
Germination Time: Several months, variable
Flowering Time: Jul–Aug (Year2)
Site: Full sun
Soil Type: Poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil
Moisture: Free-draining
Care: Avoid winter waterlogging; remove old stems in spring
Use: Gravel gardens, coastal gardens, cut flowers, dried flowers
Harvesting: Cut flower heads for fresh or dried arrangements
Vase Life: Everlasting
Height:60-80cm
Plant Spacing: 30cm