[Smudgeboy]

Hi all, long time no post - working away meant no veg growing this year, but I've got a couple of questions about some perennial flowers that I've got. Hope someone out there can help.

First off, see attached pictures - this is some sort of bulb I got in a job-lot a year or so ago and chucked it in the ground to see what happens. You'll see I get a big clump if plae powder-blue, thistle-like flowers. I actually think it's quite attractive.

Trouble is, I have no idea what it is, or how to care for it. In particular, do I cut it back for the winter etc?

Any offers?

[sunshineband]

These don't grow from bulbs, so may have arrived by seed 

  It is sea holly

[Yorkie]

It's one of the eryngiums

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/294.shtml

[Smudgeboy]

Thank you both.

Wow! How did I get that much!

So now I just need to know how to care for it.

[sunshineband]

They are annuals that like open sunny places.

You can gather the seeds when they dry and save them for sowing next year 

[arugula]

These don't grow from bulbs, so may have arrived by seed 

  It is sea holly

It certainly is! How lucky you are, I've tried to grow it from seed with no joy. 

[catllar]

My eryngium is perennial - at least it comes up every year in the same place! I cut it back in the spring right to the ground  and away it goes!  I leave the tops on everything if they have seeds for the birds and also gives a bit of protection for the crown.

You can increase it via root cuttings, so I'm told.

[catllar]

My eryngium is perennial - at least it comes up every year in the same place! I cut it back in the spring right to the ground  and away it goes!  I leave the tops on everything if they have seeds for the birds and also gives a bit of protection for the crown.

You can increase it via root cuttings, so I'm told.

Of course there may be many types both annual and perennial, come to think of it the flowers on mine are a lot bigger than your picture - so I'll get my coat and just sneak quietly away