Rattlesnake Master - Eryngium
The Rattlesnake Master plant was used by American Indians and pioneers who thought the roots could be used as an effective antidote for a rattlesnake bite. However, there is no true medical benefit for snake bites.
Eryngium Yuccifolium seeds benefit from a pre-treatment with 3 - 4 weeks of cold-moist stratification when planted in the spring. If planting Rattlesnake Master seeds in the fall, the winter cold is sufficient. Directly sow the Eryngium seeds in a weed-free seedbed and rake the flower seeds under 1/4 inch of soil.
Rattlesnake Master plants add a unique display to flower beds with their unusual compact flower clusters and flower seed heads, and they can be a wonderful focal point. Eryngium Rattlesnake Master can be used for roadside plantings, prairie restoration, prairie landscaping, wildlife cover, and also in wildflower gardens. There are approximately 7,500 seeds per ounce.
Flower Specifications
- Season: Perennial
- USDA Zones: 3 - 9
- Height: 30 - 48 inches
- Bloom Season: Late spring through summer
- Bloom Color: White
- Environment: Full sun to light shade
- Soil Type: Loam, sand, clay, or gravel
- Deer Resistant: Yes
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 64 - 72F
- Average Germ Time: 2 to 4 weeks
- Light Required: No
- Depth: 1/4 inch
- Sowing Rate: 5 ounces per 1,000 square feet
- Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 8 to 24 inches
