Flat Sea Holly White Glitter | Eryngium planum Seeds

An exceptional first-year flowering perennial with elegant silvery-white, spiny flower heads and strong architectural stems – outstanding for cut flowers, dried arrangements and sunny perennial gardens.

Flat Sea Holly White Glitter (Eryngium planum) is a professional-quality perennial selected for cut flower production, floristry and perennial gardens. One of its most valuable characteristics is its ability to flower in the first year from seed without requiring vernalization, making it especially attractive for growers who want flowers in the same season as sowing.

White Glitter develops vigorous, well-branched plants reaching approximately 95 cm tall. Its distinctive silvery-white to pale silvery flower heads and decorative spiny bracts create an elegant, almost frosted appearance that is very different from the classic blue forms of Eryngium.

The unusual neutral colouring makes White Glitter particularly versatile in floristry, where it adds texture, structure and a sophisticated light accent without competing with the main flowers in a bouquet.

Once established, the plants thrive in sunny, warm and relatively dry conditions.

Why You’ll Love White Glitter

• Flowers in the first year from seed
• No vernalization required for first-year flowering
• Elegant silvery-white flower heads
• Decorative spiny, architectural form
• Vigorous, well-branched plants
• Approximately 95 cm tall
• Strong stems for cutting
• Exceptional structural flower for floristry
• Excellent fresh cut flower
• Outstanding dried flower
• Neutral colour combines beautifully with many flower palettes
• Excellent tolerance of heat and dry conditions
• Hardy perennial
• Ideal for sunny perennial borders
• Attractive to bees and butterflies
• Excellent for professional cut flower production

Plant Information

• Botanical name: Eryngium planum
• Common name: Flat Sea Holly
• Variety: White Glitter
• Plant type: Perennial
• Special feature: First-year flowering without vernalization
• Flower colour: Silvery white
• Height: approx. 95 cm
• Spring crop time: approx. 22–24 weeks
• Exposure: Full sun
• Hardiness zone: 4–8
• Seed form: Raw Seed
• Germination: approx. 7–10 days
• Germination temperature: 22–24°C
• Sowing: 1–2 seeds per cell
• Uses: Cut flowers, dried flowers, perennial borders, large containers and landscape planting
• Pollinators: Attractive to bees and butterflies

A Perennial That Flowers in the First Year

One of the most valuable features of White Glitter is its ability to produce flowers in the first growing season from seed.

Many perennial flowers need to experience a cold period before they are able to bloom. White Glitter can flower without vernalization, allowing growers to treat it almost like an annual during the first production season while still enjoying the long-term benefits of a perennial plant.

For first-year flowering, sow approximately December to March. Depending on sowing time and growing conditions, plants can flower approximately June to August.

White Glitter can also be sown in July–August to establish larger, stronger plants for flowering the following year.

Exceptional Cut Flower

White Glitter is especially valuable for cut flower growers and florists.

Its strong stems and pale silvery-white flower heads bring structure, texture and contrast to floral arrangements. The neutral colouring makes this variety particularly easy to combine with a wide range of flowers.

It works beautifully in white, pastel, blush, apricot, champagne and natural colour palettes, making it especially useful for wedding and event floristry.

Combine White Glitter with:

Lisianthus • Zinnias • Snapdragons • Dahlias • Cosmos • Ornamental Grasses • Achillea • Delphinium • Stock

Its architectural shape also provides an interesting contrast to softer, more romantic flowers.

Excellent for Dried Flowers

Eryngium is one of the most useful structural flowers for dried arrangements.

The firm flower heads retain their distinctive shape and texture particularly well after drying, while the pale colouring of White Glitter creates a beautiful light accent in dried bouquets.

White Glitter is excellent for:

• Dried flower bouquets
• Wreaths
• Wedding decorations
• Seasonal arrangements
• Floral installations
• Long-lasting floral designs

For drying, harvest well-developed stems and hang them upside down in a dry, dark and well-ventilated place.

Sowing

For First-Year Flowering

For flowers during the first growing season, sow approximately December to March.

Sow 1–2 seeds per cell.

Cover the seeds only lightly with fine growing medium or vermiculite and provide light during germination.

Maintain a temperature of approximately 22–24°C.

Under suitable conditions, germination usually takes approximately 7–10 days.

After germination, provide plenty of light and grow the young plants at approximately 15–21°C.

For Flowering the Following Year

White Glitter can also be sown in July–August.

This gives the plants more time to develop a strong root system and larger plants before flowering the following season.

Growing & Care

Plant Flat Sea Holly White Glitter in a sunny position with excellent drainage.

Eryngium planum performs best in well-drained soil and does not appreciate prolonged waterlogging. Sandy or sandy-loamy soils with good drainage are particularly suitable.

For best results:

• Grow in full sun
• Provide excellent drainage
• Water young plants regularly while establishing
• Reduce watering once plants are established
• Avoid permanently wet soil
• Feed regularly during active growth
• Maintain good air circulation

The recommended soil pH is approximately 6.0–7.5.

For professional cut flower production, White Glitter benefits from regular and adequate nutrition during active growth.

Thrives in Hot & Dry Conditions

Once established, White Glitter performs particularly well in warm, sunny and relatively dry conditions.

Its good tolerance of heat and periods of dry weather makes it an excellent choice for sunny perennial borders, gravel gardens and lower-maintenance planting schemes.

Good winter drainage is particularly important. Eryngium generally tolerates cold conditions much better than permanently cold and waterlogged soil.

Hardy Perennial

White Glitter is a hardy perennial, suitable for approximately hardiness zones 4–8.

In the right location, plants can return year after year, providing a distinctive architectural element in perennial borders and cut flower gardens.

For successful long-term cultivation, the two most important factors are full sun and well-drained soil.

Valuable for Bees & Butterflies

White Glitter is not only valuable as a cut flower. Its flowers are also attractive to bees and butterflies, adding value to pollinator-friendly garden plantings.

It is an excellent choice for gardeners who want to combine a productive cut flower garden with plants that also support garden biodiversity.

Perfect For

• Professional cut flower production
• Cut flower gardens
• Fresh bouquets
• Wedding floristry
• Event floristry
• White and pastel floral palettes
• Dried flowers
• Dried bouquets and wreaths
• Perennial borders
• Naturalistic planting
• Gravel and dry gardens
• Large containers
• Pollinator-friendly gardens
• Warm and sunny locations

Why Grow Flat Sea Holly White Glitter?

First-year flowering • No vernalization required • Silvery-white flower heads • Strong stems approximately 95 cm tall • Professional cut flower • Exceptional structural flower for floristry • Excellent fresh or dried • Beautiful for wedding floristry • Heat and dry-condition tolerant • Hardy perennial • Full sun • Attractive to bees and butterflies

Flat Sea Holly White Glitter (Eryngium planum) is an outstanding choice for gardeners, florists and cut flower growers looking for an unusual perennial with an elegant neutral colour and exceptional value for floral design.

Its combination of first-year flowering, strong stems, silvery-white colouring, architectural texture, excellent drying qualities and perennial garden performance makes White Glitter particularly valuable for cut flower gardens, wedding floristry, perennial borders, fresh bouquets and dried flower arrangements.