White Glitter Eryngium is a frost-hardy specialty cut flower that transforms the late-season garden with its luminous white flower heads and silvery bracts. This open-pollinated cultivar of Eryngium planum thrives in hardiness zones 3 through 8 and reaches maturity in a full year of growth, rewarding patient gardeners with long-lasting blooms perfect for fresh arrangements or dried displays. Its compact growth habit and low water needs make it a surprisingly low-maintenance addition to the cutting garden, while its distinctive appearance and extended harvest window set it apart from typical ornamental offerings.
—
Low
3-8
?in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The white flowers and bracts gleam with an almost crystalline quality, explaining the 'Glitter' in its name. This variety excels as a specialty cut flower, holding its form beautifully whether arranged fresh or hung to dry, and it handles cold winters down to zone 3 without complaint. The compact growth and minimal water requirements mean you're not fussing over it constantly, yet it rewards that benign neglect with months of harvestable blooms.
White Glitter Eryngium is primarily grown for cutting and preserving. Florists and home gardeners prize it for fresh arrangements, where its stiff stems and architectural form provide structure to mixed bouquets. It also dries exceptionally well, hanging naturally or being preserved in desiccant to maintain its striking white color, making it a staple for dried flower enthusiasts and those creating long-lasting arrangements.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 10 to 16 weeks before your planned transplant date. Do not cover the seeds, as light is required for germination. Bottom water or mist gently to avoid displacing seeds. Maintain soil temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplant seedlings into cell packs or 2 to 4-inch containers 5 to 8 weeks after emergence, then harden off before moving outside.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings outdoors after the last frost date. Space plants 18 inches apart in full sun with well-draining soil. The plant reaches maturity in approximately 365 days, so expect blooms in the season following transplanting.
Cut White Glitter Eryngium when the entire flower head and bracts have turned white or blue (depending on the cultivar; this white form will be uniformly white). Harvest with a sharp knife or pruners, cutting stems at the base or just above a leaf node. For fresh arrangements, cut in the morning and condition stems immediately in cool water. For drying, cut at peak maturity and hang upside down in a dry, dark location with good air circulation, or preserve in desiccant to maintain the most vibrant color.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.