Each flower lasts several weeks, giving the plant an impressive display of colour. Eryngium ovinum has long been neglected as a garden plant and its full potential has not been realised. It could be ideally used as a rockery plant in an open, sunny position, both for its colour and dramatic form. The Blue Devil is relatively long lived with some plants thriving at the Australian National Botanic Gardens for ten years or more. They are easily grown from seed, sown in punnets in early December and planted out in April to allow their fleshy taproots to develop to sustain them when they die down during the winter months.
Most soils seem to be suitable provided they are well drained, but a sunny position is essential.
No pests or diseases have been noticed and the plant is frost hardy. The flowering stems can be cut to the base and used as fresh flowers or dried floral arrangements. Their colour and texture make interesting and attractive displays. Look here for a glossary of botanical terms.