Eryngium planum

one thing i keep forgetting about. great photo...

Do you know if it seeds itself, Sandra? I'm sure there are more plants than last year. Or does it spread by other means? I'll have to get my RHS book out, only 'he' is watching Jeremy Clarkson, so I am NOT in there with my books! :-(

it clumps up each year. i'm not sure about selfseeder...
mines been watching cricket.....

The RHS just says it 'clumps' as you told me - not if it seeds around, though! I think it must do...

if the little ones grow away from the parent plant then its either a runner or a seedling. dont you think? wpuld be nice to have lots of them.

Oh, I forgot - the book also says they have long taproots - so it can't be running, can it? I'll have to start heaving some out - they are getting just a bit too numerous!

if you do i'd love to swop something from my garden with you. if you like?

If I can get one out intact, I'll let you know, Sandra! I'll take a look and see if there's a small one there....tomorrow...it's DARK outside!!! lol.

you could always use a torch...lol

Hmmm.......Henry would want to come out, as well - and I keep the gates to the back garden closed after dark, 'cos if he gets out into the main garden, we lose him! That's a downside of having a big garden...

Sorry, but the Eryngiums are the other side of the gates - so it's a no-no, even with a torch! lol.

I bought one of these about a month ago I did nt realise how pretty they are close up.

You'll have to go and look at it now, Morgana! (Well - tomorrow will do...lol)

lol I will tomorrow as I m in my nighty now :)

lol. Dare you! ;-)

lol I dare but my wheel chair is on charge so I am unable to go out side until its charged up.

I MIGHT let you off the dare, then, as that's a bit impossible. :-(

lol Thank you for your kindness tis appreciated :D

Would you believe my plant has been decimated by slugs? I really didn't think this would be on their menu.

I would believe any thing with slugs and snails and even puppy dog tails.sorry to hear that.

Gracious! No, I wouldn't have dreamt that they'd eat THAT!!!! :-(

Nor would I Spritz but I found the offender hiding next to it. There's just a circle of bare stems round the flower stem. It's lifted and in intensive care now.

Ah! When you lifted it, was it easy - how long is the taproot? I want to send one to Sandra...is that a possibility? I'd be pleased to know, before digging one up!

Very recently planted, Spritz so I don't know, sorry. I think your soil is a lot lighter than mine so would imagine yours go deeper but if they're first year plants they shouldn't be too deep. If you're taking some out anyway I would always try potting some up.
I moved a Geranium Molle which I didn't realise had a tap root - it snapped off very close to the base of the plant but there were plenty of other roots and it didn't see to make any difference at all, the plant is fine.

I wouldn't have a clue which are new ones and which are the 'parent' plants. It does sound as though I may well have a problem digging them up, though! Let's just hope that one at least can live with fewer roots! ;-)