30/11/2025
Happy St Andrew's Day! 🍻💙
As we celebrate Scotland’s patron saint, it’s the perfect moment to spotlight a florist favourite with a distinctly Scottish spirit: Eryngium.
While the wild thistle is Scotland’s national flower, it isn’t commercially viable to use fresh from the wild. That’s where eryngium shines. Its spiky texture, cool blue tones, and bold structure make it an ideal stand-in for the traditional thistle in bouquets and arrangements.
Why florists love Eryngium:
💙 Striking steel-blue bracts that echo the thistle’s iconic look
💙 Long vase life and excellent durability in designs
💙 Adds instant depth, texture, and a Scottish touch to winter arrangements
How to care for Eryngium:
✂️ They originate from South America, so they prefer a warmer temperature, 8-10°C.
✂️ Vase Life: 14-21 days.
✂️ Less mature stems will absorb water more quickly, keep vases topped up.
✂️ Re-cut stems and change water every 3-4 days.
✂️ Handle with care, as there are prickles on the edges of the leaves and below the flower head.
✂️ Remove any yellowing foliage to improve its appearance.
How to dry Eryngium:
🪻 The easiest way to preserve Eryngium is to air dry them.
🪻 Tie small bunches together using elastic bands (this is better than string, as the stems will shrink as the moisture within evaporates)
🪻 Hang the bunches upside down in a dry, warm, well-ventilated spot, this will keep the stems straight and the flower heads more rigid.
🪻 Dry for 2-3 weeks
Did you know?
The roots, young shoots and leaves of eryngium are edible, not dissimilar in taste to asparagus.
Info from Su Whale's article on Eryngium, available to read in full over at The Interflora Floristry Trade Club.
