Echinops bannaticus ‘Blue Glow’

Developed for the cut flower trade, this Globe Thistle is also one of the showiest in the garden. The plant forms a bushy upright mound of thistly looking grey-green leaves, bearing stems of ball-shaped steel-blue flowers from mid to late summer. Excellent for cutting fresh or drying. Attractive to butterflies. Globe Thistle should be divided every 3 to 4 years, in early spring. Plants may be trimmed to the ground in late fall, or left for winter interest. In areas with wet soil in winter, better success may come from growing these in a raised bed. May need staking. Not a weedy kind of thistle.