Eryngium pandanifolium ‘Physic Purple’

The finest form of the species, fairly arresting when seen in flower in late summer and autumn. The airy heads of dark red-purple, thimble-like flowers reach up to about 2m or more in late summer on slender stems over the huge clump of spiny, sword-shaped, grey-green foliage to about 1.5m. Good in most ordinary soils that aren't too dry, though in the wilds of Argentina etc it is found in seasonal marshes. Most impressive.