Bitter Snakeroot Eryngium aquaticum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- er-RIN-jee-um a-KWA-ti-kum
- Description
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This wildflower grows naturally in bogs, marshes, and wet areas. It can grow in loamy soil in garden areas where water is adequately applied. It prefers wet soil but will tolerate dry and once established is quite drought tolerant. It grows in full sun to part shade with the more sprawling habit in fertile soil or in too much shade. Taller plants may need support. The interesting foliage and flowers are great in cut and dried arrangements and can make this a specimen plant in your garden. Or plant in groups in low spots, near water gardens, rain gardens, ponds, or in borders. It naturalizes easily through seed.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eryngium
- Species:
- aquaticum
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- N. Central & E. U.S.A.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Green
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Tiny white 5 parted florets (sometimes with a blue or purplish tinge) bloom in summer in tight, rounded, flower heads.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion