Eryngium giganteum

This spectacular silver-flowered sea holly was said to mysteriously appear in gardens visited by legendary British plantswoman Ellen Willmott (thus the common name Miss Willmott's ghost). Possibly it's because she surreptitiously scattered the seeds of what apparently was one of her favorite plants. It self-sows quite nicely without Miss Willmott's assistance, which is a good thing, given that it's a biennial or short-lived perennial.

Sun; average to dry soil (drought tolerant); 36"x18"; late spring to summer; Zone 4

Propagated from seed; deep 3.5-inch pots

Photo: peganum