Echinops bannaticus Star Frost (Globe Thistle)

Nicely branched, Echinops bannaticus 'Star Frost' (Globe Thistle) is a robust, upright, herbaceous perennial with a profusion of golf-ball sized, silvery-white flowers at the end of gracefully curving, silvery-white stems. Blooming from mid-summer to early fall, they rise above a bushy mound of prickly deep green leaves, silvery-green on the underside. 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. Truly lovely and perfectly suited to the perennial border or the cutting garden. Blooms even in the first year.

• Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
• A full sun lover (partial shade is tolerated), Echinops thrives in poor, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Rich soils 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.