Eryngium planum Blue Hobbit

Hardy Perennial

• Germination : Experience Useful
• Aftercare : Easy
• Ideal for : Borders, Containers
• Height : 12 inches

Description

The world's first naturally dwarf variety! Compact plants produce neat, basal rosettes from which emerge decorative, silver-blue stems that form into large, globular flower heads containing hundreds of small blue flowers. Ideal for adding interest to the front of borders or to containers.

Seeds sown from November to January require no pre-chilling and will usually flower in their 1st year.

Sowing Instructions

Sow November to January for first year flowering or July to September to flower the following year.
Sow seed on the surface of lightly firmed, moist seed compost in pots or trays. Cover with a fine sprinkling of vermiculite. After sowing, seal container inside a polythene bag and place at a temperature of 15-21C (60-70F). Germination can be slow and erratic. Examine container regularly and carefully transplant individual seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays.

If germination has not occurred after 3-4 weeks place the container and bag into a refrigerator (not freezer) for 3-6 weeks. After this cold period return container to 15-21C (60-70F) when the seed dormancy should be broken and germination should begin.

Growing Instructions

Gradually acclimatise plants to cooler conditions for a few weeks before planting out after all risk of frost, 30-45cm (12-18in) apart.

Aftercare

Best planted in a rich, light well-drained soil in full sun.