Rattlesnake Master Seeds – Eryngium yuccifolium Native Wildflower Garden Pollinator Seed

Rattlesnake Master Seeds 

Eryngium yuccifolium is a native sea holly that thrives in sandy or free-draining soils throughout North America, particularly tall grass prairies and east costal regions.

Resembling a yucca plant for the first season, the large strappy metallic leaves send up a strong hollow flowering stem that attracts pollinators in all shapes and sizes, including native bees and wasps enjoying the off-white ball-shaped umbels.

Commonly called rattlesnake master, or Eryngo, this deep rooted short-lived perennial is best grown in full sun where it can remain undisturbed.

A perennial closely related to species of the Apiaceae plant family include fennel, carrot, and coriander. Grows well with grasses in full sun or in gravel gardens, Eryngium is a fast-growing, long-season flowering, short-lived perennial best grown as an annual that self-seeds freely.

Eryngium flowers freely in full sun, and can maintain during drought conditions, stands up well to foraging wildlife, Tiny white flowers appear in abundance, and create flower clusters on long wiry stems that appear largely resilient to rabbits and deer.

A spectacular display in gardens and borders, rattlesnake master or sea holly can be dried and holds the blue color well in arrangements. Sow direct in late Fall or early Spring as the seeds require a peroid of cold stratification. Eryngium seeds can be started outdoors in the fall, or spring, or start indoors a few weeks ahead of the last frost date. Flowering late Summer thru Fall, and loved by an array of pollinators, particularly swallowtail butterflies and bees, and plentiful seed for fall birds.

I grow my own Rattlesnake Master Seeds pollinator-friendly plants these white/green almost metallic, sea holly make a cheerful addition to any butterfly or wildflower garden. Thriving on poor soils in full sun, on the prairie, or at home in the cottage garden, plant with rudbeckia, goldenrod, and fall asters.

SOWING TIPS: Average of 25+ seeds per pack multiple quantities available.

Direct sow seeds in fall and allow seeds to naturally cold stratify. When starting seeds indoors, sow finely and barely cover seeds with soil. I recommend sowing these seeds, direct in Fall on a prepared seedbed or garden container, water well, and protect from winter weather with a fabric fleece if some seeds germinate early.

1) Sow direct in a prepared seedbed

2) Cold frame sheltered location outdoors

3) Under lights

4) or Bright cool windowsill

I like to grow in pots this way you can break dormancy, simply by moving the pots around and most seeds germinate in batches, care must be taken when picking out to avoid disturbing emerging seedlings. Pot young plants on until large enough to plant out, this native plant mix prefers poor soil in full sun.

Alternatively use the following techniques to improve germination

MOIST STRATIFICATION will help Rattlesnake Master Seeds germination~ to do so, place seeds in moist sand or peat in the refrigerator for about 6 weeks prior to planting. Keep the medium and seeds in a sealed ziplock baggie to hold in moisture. Remove them after the stratification period, and plant them in the seed mix and keep them in warm darkness for a few weeks, checking moisture levels and any early germination daily.

HOT WATER SCARIFYING can be used to speed up the germination process, simple drop the seeds into pre-boiled water that has chilled for 30 seconds allow them to soak for 24hrs before sowing. Keep soil moist, not wet. At the end of the cold stratification, keep pots covered and place them in a warm, dark location until germination begins.

Remove zip-lock bag or cover as seedlings appear.

Easy to grow sow Rattlesnake Master Seeds and fine sand or inert mixer, direct where you would like them to flower, in Fall or Early Spring, or start in small pots on a window sill several weeks before the last frost in your area.

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