Eryngium giganteum "Miss Wilmott s Ghost"

Family: Apiaceae
Origin: Caucasus
Special Features: Distinctive "Ghost White" blossoms contrast splendidly with the spineless green (sometimes bluish) leaves
Distinction: Royal Horticultural Society s Award of Garden Merit
History: Miss Willmot would gather seed of one of her favorite garden plants and cleverly scatter them around in other gardens. People were surprised when these plants began growing! Who knows how many gardens became haunted with Miss Willmott s Ghost?
Colour: Ivory White
Natural Flowering Period: July - August
Winter Hardiness: Z6
Growth Habit: Upright
Foliage: Rounded, spineless basal leaves
Height with Flower: 70 cm
Spacing between Plants: 45 cm
Soil Requirement: Well-drained soils, pH 6.0 - 7.2
Location: Full Sun
Use: Plant together in the border with Agastache rupestris, Echinacea "Rubinstern" and Penstemon smallii
Specialities: Good cut flower that easily self-sows

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 5,6
Seed Requirement: 30 g / 1000 plants
Best Sowing Date: November-March
Way of Germination: Cold Germinator
Germination: The sowing must be kept warm (about +18 to 22°C) and moist for the first 2-4 weeks. After this period the sowing must be kept at a cold temperature (between -4 and +4°C) for another 4-6 weeks. It is not so important if the temperature is higher or lower during the cooling period, but the cooling period has to be prolonged because the synthesis of the germination inducer, hormonlike acid, slows down or comes to a standstill. It is beneficial to cover the sowing with snow during the cooling-period. The temperature below it usually keeps in the optimum range of -4 to 0°C. The sowing is kept moist, and the melting snow helps to destroy the shell, which is advantageous for the germinating seedling. After this cooling-period the sowing may not be immediately exposed to high temperatures. The most effective temperatures are between +5 to 12°C, even if germination has started. The best location for this sowing, even in March, April and May, is the open field, the cold frame or a cold greenhouse.
Germination to Transplant: 6 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to salable Plant: 8 - 10 weeks
Fertilization: Low.