Peter van Steijn's vast selection of plants of a spiky nature, such as Eryngium and Echinops, is not born out of any sadistic tendency. Quite the opposite, as he strives to breed plants that are dramatic to the eye and soft to the touch. 

For example, the beautifully variegated Eryngium 'Oxford Blue' is so sharp that it should come with a free pack of sticking plasters, but Peter is experimenting with crossing it with softer leaved varieties to maintain the varigation while removing the sting.

Eryngium 'Oxford Blue' is a beautiful plant with dramatically variegated foliage and strong-blue flowers and stems. Just don't get too close!

This seedling derived from a crossing with 'Oxford Blue' is being put through its paces.

The decorative bracts on Eryngium alpinum are pretty formidable to look at, but Peter is very aware that they can be bred to look rough and yet be soft to the touch. This is a species he is using in his crossing experiments.

Eryngium alpinum's bark is worse than its bite. It's not as scratchy as it looks.