Characteristics
| Hardiness zone | 3a |
|---|---|
| Flower color | white |
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Mature height | 24 inches (5 feet with the flowers) |
| Spread | 3 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun |
| Moisture requirements | dry to moist |
| Plant origin | Texas Native |
Rattlesnake Master
Botanical name: Eryngium yuccifolium
Rattlesnake Master has stiff upright stems that hold striking flower heads that appear in branched clusters, and the unusual clumping foliage adds interest, providing coarse texture in the landscape. Blooms make an interesting and unique cut-flower, enjoyed both fresh and dried.
Other names: Beargrass, Button Eryngo, Button Snake-Root
Ornamental Features
Rattlesnake Master has stiff upright stems that hold striking flower heads that appear in branched clusters, and the unusual clumping foliage adds interest, providing coarse texture in the landscape. Blooms make an interesting and unique cut-flower, enjoyed both fresh and dried.
The plant features basal rosettes of parallel-veined, bristly-edged, sword-shaped, medium green leaves (to 3' long) resembling those of yucca and tiny, stemless, greenish-white flowers tightly packed into globular, 1" diameter heads resembling thistles.
Landscape Attributes
Rattlesnake Master works well in the middle of perennial borders or planted in small groups in open woodlands, naturalized areas, and pollinator gardens. The flowers attract many beneficial insects to the garden; the plant also serves as a host to the larvae of the Rattlesnake-master borer snake moth (Papaipema eryngii). Attracts pollinator insects including wasps, flies, bees, and butterflies like monarchs and skippers. Soldier beetles eat the pollen.
Leave the plant uncut through the winter to add interest to landscape during winter months. Choose a location carefully since the leaves end in stiff spines that could be unpleasant if planted near a walkway.
Rattlesnake Master is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Butterfly Garden, Nighttime Garden, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Pollinator Garden, and Texas Native Garden
Planting and Growing
Rattlesnake Master will grow to be 4-5ft tall at maturity with the flowers, with a spread of 2-3ft. Propagate this plant through seed or divide plants in late spring or early fall. It will self-seed in optimal conditions.
Prefers dryish, sandy soils. Plants tend to open up and sprawl if grown in overly fertile soils or in anything less than full sun. Transplants poorly due to taproot, best left undisturbed after planting! It is considered to be drought-tolerant and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application.
