The Essential Guide To The Eryngium
Botanical Name: Eryngium
Common Name: Sea Holly
General Knowledge: Eryngium, commonly known as Sea Holly, is a versatile plant originating from the rocky and coastal terrains of Europe, North Africa, and Asia, showcasing its adaptability to diverse climates and conditions. Favoured for its unique texture and striking blue or silver hues, it serves as a popular choice in floral arrangements and bouquets, adding a touch of drama and interest, especially for rustic or beach-themed weddings and events. An interesting fact about this plant is that despite its common name, Sea Holly, it is not related to the holly plant at all; instead, its name is derived from its ability to flourish in sandy and saline soils, commonly found along coastlines.
Colour Range: Blue globe-like flowers with a slight metallic silver appearance, surrounded by a lacy blue-purple calyx.
Australian Seasonal Availability: Eryngium is typically available in the summer and autumn months.
Australian Wedding and Event Season Availability: With its unique and striking appearance, Eryngium is a popular choice for weddings and events held in the warmer months, adding a touch of blue and texture to floral arrangements.
Commercially Grown in Australia: Yes, it is available from domestic growers.
Imported into Australia: While it can also be imported, there is domestic availability.
Buying Tips: Look for bunches with fresh silver/blue, well-formed heads without any brown spotting or sunburnt calyces. Avoid bunches with yellow leaves or semi-dried stems. Overnight cooling can enhance the flower’s colour.
Design Tips and Advice: Eryngium works well as both a transitional and focal flower in arrangements. Its unique colour adds interest to arrangements and hand-tied bunches, and its grouped blooms can serve as focal flowers. Eryngium can also be dried for long-term use.
Flower Maturity: Choose bunches with well-formed heads for optimal vase life.
Expected Vase Life: Eryngium has a good vase life, typically lasting between 7–14 days.
Typical Stem Length: The stems can grow up to 60 cm in length.
Typical Bunch Size: Eryngium is commonly sold in bunches of 10 stems.
Floral Preservatives: Yes, Eryngium benefits from the use of floral preservative.
Ethylene Sensitivity: Eryngium is not sensitive to ethylene.
Temperature Requirements: Keep Eryngium in cool storage at 2–4 °C.
Avoiding Potential Problems: Handle with care as the leaves, while not thorny, can appear and feel spiky.
Cooling and Cool Rooms: Eryngium can be stored at 2–4 °C, and overnight cooling can enhance its colour.
Hydration and Vase Solutions: Keep stems in fresh water and use a floral preservative to maximise vase life.
Care of Ethylene Sensitive Products: Not applicable as Eryngium is not sensitive to ethylene.