Echinops bannaticus Blue Glow (Globe Thistle)

Echinops bannaticus 'Blue Glow' (Globe Thistle) is a robust, upright herbaceous perennial with intense blue, perfectly round flowers, 1.5 in. across (4 cm), at the end of gracefully curving, unbranched stems. Blooming from early to late summer, they rise above the deeply cut foliage of prickly silvery green leaves. Though they look prickly, they are all show and not prickly at all. Adding outstanding contrast, interest, and color to the summer garden while being trouble-free and low maintenance, Globe Thistle makes an invaluable contribution to the landscape. Excellent for cutting, it flowers more than once in a season. Truly lovely and perfectly suited to the perennial border or the cutting garden.

• Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 2 ft. across (60 cm)
• A full sun lover (partial shade is tolerated), Echinops thrives in poor, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Rich soils are to be avoided. Tolerant of hot and humid summers. While moisture is required during its growing season, this plant is drought tolerant thereafter.
• Lovely addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens, wildlife gardens, or gravel gardens.
• Resilient to most pests and diseases, deer and rabbit resistant, this is a real magnet for bees or butterflies.
• Propagate by seed sown in a seed bed in mid-spring. Propagate by division in spring or autumn. Propagate by root cuttings in winter
• Deadhead to prevent self-seeding. Flowers are excellent for dried arrangements. Cut them before they open and dry them upside down.