Eryngium, also known as Sea Holly, is not just a visual star in the garden; it’s an unsung hero in floral arrangements, particularly when dried. With its spiky blooms and striking metallic hues, Eryngium holds its shape and color long after most flowers have faded into mush. Whether you’re looking to add texture to a bouquet or create a long-lasting, dried arrangement, Eryngium is your best mate.
But how do you harvest and preserve these beautiful blooms? And more importantly, how can you get the best out of them, without your house ending up looking like a dried flower explosion from the ‘90s? Stick with me and we’ll take a deep dive into everything you need to know about drying and preserving these fantastic plants. Plus, I’ll try not to make it too boring along the way.
Don’t forget! I have a whole other blog post about growing the amazing Eryngium, it’s the perfect guide for beginners: How to Grow Stunning Sea Holly (Eryngium) in Your Garden
Why Eryngium is Perfect for Drying
So, why choose Eryngium for your dried flower arrangements? Let’s start with its unique structure. The stiff, spiky blooms are built to last. Unlike more delicate flowers that wilt and lose their shape when dried, Eryngium stays robust. The thistle-like heads are perfect for adding texture to any arrangement, while their steely blue or silver tones bring a bit of drama (without being too dramatic).
The beauty of Eryngium as a dried flower doesn’t stop there. Its color doesn’t fade like many other flowers once they’ve been dried. Instead, you’re left with those same cool, metallic shades that last for months. Let’s be honest, we all love plants that require minimum effort for maximum reward, and Sea Holly delivers that in spades.
But, enough of the sales pitch. You’re already growing Eryngium or planning to, right? Let’s get into how to harvest and dry these bad boys.
When to Harvest Eryngium for Drying
Timing is key when it comes to harvesting flowers for drying, and Eryngium is no exception. The best time to cut your Sea Holly blooms is when the flowers are fully open but before they start to fade. If you harvest them too early, the flowers won’t dry properly and might even droop—no one wants a floppy thistle in their arrangement, let’s be real. And if you leave it too late, you’ll end up with petals dropping everywhere like some kind of floral confetti.
In the UK, Eryngium typically blooms from July through to September, depending on the variety. Keep an eye on your plants during this period, and once those flowers are looking their absolute best, it’s time to break out the secateurs.
Top Tip: Cut the flowers in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun’s at full blaze. You don’t want them too wet, and cutting in the midday sun can cause unnecessary wilting. Timing is everything, and we’re not just talking about Strictly Come Dancing.
The Right Tools for the Job
You don’t need anything fancy to harvest your Eryngium, but a sharp pair of secateurs will make the job a lot easier (and a lot less damaging to the plant). Make sure they’re clean, too. You don’t want to spread any plant diseases, or worse, drag dirt into your flower arrangements. Trust me, mud doesn’t have the same charm as a beautifully dried bloom.
Once you’ve got your tools ready, snip the stem around 12 to 18 inches from the base of the flower head. This gives you plenty of stem to play with when it comes to arranging your dried flowers later on. Aim for longer stems, you can always trim them down later—better too much than too little, right?
How to Dry Eryngium Blooms
There are a few ways to dry flowers, but for Eryngium, the good ol’ air-drying method works like a charm. It’s simple, cheap, and perfect for those of us who can’t be faffed with complicated drying techniques.
Step 1: Prepare Your Blooms
Once you’ve cut your Eryngium, remove any leaves from the lower part of the stems. Leaves are just going to get in the way and can rot while drying, and no one wants to deal with that mess. Plus, it’s all about the flowers, anyway, so let’s keep the focus where it belongs.
Step 2: Bunch and Tie
Group the stems together in small bunches—around five to eight stems per bunch is about right. You don’t want to overfill your bunches because it can hinder the drying process. Tie the bunches together at the base with a bit of string or an elastic band. Don’t tie them too tight, though; you want some air to circulate around the stems.
Step 3: Hang ‘Em Up
Now for the easiest part—hang them up somewhere dry, dark, and well-ventilated. A dark cupboard or an attic works well. You want to avoid sunlight because it can bleach the flowers, and nobody wants a washed-out Sea Holly. Aim to hang them upside down, as this helps them maintain their upright shape while drying.
Step 4: Wait
Patience is key here. Drying Eryngium can take anywhere from two to four weeks, depending on the conditions. It’s tempting to check on them every five minutes, but resist! Give them time to dry thoroughly. They’ll be ready when the stems are brittle, and the flowers feel papery to the touch.
Using Dried Eryngium in Arrangements
Once your Eryngium is dried and ready to go, the fun begins—arranging them. Dried Eryngium is incredibly versatile and works well in all sorts of arrangements, from minimalist displays to more elaborate mixed bouquets.
- On Their Own: If you’re into simplicity, a few stems of dried Eryngium in a tall vase can look stunning. The metallic blue or silver tones add a striking focal point to any room without being too over-the-top. Bonus points if you place them in a room where they can catch the light—they practically glow.
- In Mixed Arrangements: Dried Eryngium also pairs beautifully with other dried flowers like lavender, grasses, and seed heads. The spikiness of the Sea Holly contrasts nicely with softer textures like grasses or fluffy seed pods. Try experimenting with different heights and colors. If you’re feeling adventurous, mix them with some dried roses or hydrangeas for a more romantic vibe.
- Wreaths: Dried wreaths are another great way to use your Eryngium, and they last much longer than fresh ones. Create a simple wreath base with some wire, and then weave in your dried Sea Holly, along with other dried goodies like eucalyptus or thistles.
- Dried Bouquets: Want a long-lasting bouquet? Combine your Eryngium with dried lavender, strawflowers, or statice for a low-maintenance bouquet that will look fresh for months (or even years). It’s a great way to decorate your home or give as a gift without having to worry about wilting blooms.
Top Tip: If you’re worried about dust gathering on your dried flowers, give them a quick blow with a hairdryer on a low, cool setting. Trust me, you don’t want to be dusting spiky Eryngium with a cloth—that’s a finger injury waiting to happen.
Preserving the Color of Your Dried Eryngium
One of the main reasons we love Eryngium as a dried flower is because of those stunning metallic hues. To keep those colors vibrant for as long as possible, there are a few steps you can take.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: As I mentioned earlier, sunlight is not your friend when it comes to dried flowers. Over time, it can bleach the colors, leaving your beautiful blooms looking sad and faded. Display your arrangements in a shady spot to keep them looking fresh.
- Use a Fixative: If you’re really committed to preserving your Eryngium for the long haul, you can give them a light spray with a floral fixative or hairspray. This helps seal in the color and prevents the flowers from becoming too brittle. Just don’t go overboard—one or two light coats will do the trick.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Drying flowers is generally pretty straightforward, but every now and then, things don’t go to plan. Here are a few common problems you might run into and how to fix them.
- Moldy Flowers: If your flowers have gone moldy, it’s likely that they weren’t dried in a well-ventilated space, or they were tied too tightly. Unfortunately, there’s no saving moldy flowers, so prevention is key. Make sure there’s plenty of airflow around your bunches, and don’t pack them too closely together.
- Brittle Stems: If your stems are snapping too easily, you might have left them to dry for too long or in too dry of a space. While this doesn’t ruin the flower, it can make arranging a bit more difficult. Handle them with care and, if needed, reinforce the stems with some floral wire to keep them stable.
- Faded Colors: If your Eryngium is looking a bit pale, it’s probably been exposed to too much light. Unfortunately, once the color fades, there’s no bringing it back. Make sure to keep future dried arrangements out of direct sunlight to avoid this issue.
Growing Eryngium for Drying: The Basics
If you’re not already growing Eryngium in your garden, you’re seriously missing out. These plants are dead easy to grow and take very little effort, making them perfect for even the most amateur gardeners (looking at you, plant killers).
- Sunlight: Eryngium loves the sun. Plant them in a spot where they’ll get at least six hours of direct sunlight a day.
- Soil: These guys aren’t fussy about soil, but they do prefer well-drained conditions. In fact, they thrive in poor soils where other plants would throw in the towel.
- Water: Once established, Eryngium is pretty drought-tolerant. Water them regularly during their first year to help them get settled, then you can back off and let them do their thing.
- Pruning: There’s not much pruning required. Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage more flowers, but if you’re drying them, you’ll be cutting them down anyway.
By growing Eryngium in your garden, you’ll not only have a stunning display during the summer, but you’ll also have a steady supply of blooms for drying. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Why Every Gardener Needs Dried Eryngium in Their Life
If you’re looking to get into dried flowers but don’t want to spend ages faffing around with delicate petals or complicated drying techniques, Eryngium is your perfect plant. It’s easy to grow, easy to dry, and looks amazing in everything from bouquets to wreaths.
Plus, it has that unique spiky texture that you just don’t get with other flowers. Whether you’re looking to add some drama to your home decor or you’re searching for a plant that’s both low-maintenance and visually striking, Eryngium ticks all the boxes. If you need more expert advice, check out this guide from the RHS about drying flowers for floral arrangements: How to dry flowers and foliage, RHS.
So, grab those secateurs, get snipping, and start filling your house with the bold beauty of dried Eryngium. Just maybe keep the vacuum handy—you’ll thank me later.
Discover more about growing Eryngium…
I have a whole other blog post about how to grow Eryngium, called: How to Grow Stunning Sea Holly (Eryngium) in Your Garden
In the diverse world of flowering perennials, the Eryngium, commonly known as Sea Holly, stands out as a truly unique and captivating addition to any garden. This extraordinary plant is not only a visual delight but also offers robust versatility in various garden settings. With its striking metallic hues, architectural form, and spiky, thistle-like blooms, the Sea Holly can transform a garden into a scene straight out of a fairytale…
