Buy blue globe thistle Echinops bannaticus 'Taplow Blue'

Echinops bannaticus 'Taplow Blue'

blue globe thistle

Spherical, bright blue flower-heads up to 5cm (2in) across in July and August and prickly, grey-green leaves. This gorgeous globe thistle is highly attractive to butterflies and bees.

An eye-catching, yet undemanding perennial for the back of a herbaceous or mixed border, Echinops bannaticus is best planted in poor, well-drained soil in full sun.

How to care for Echinops bannaticus Taplow Blue:

Echinops do well in a variety of soil types, including poor or dry soils, as long as they are well-drained. This tap-rooted plant is best left undisturbed after planting, as it can be challenging to divide or transplant once established.

To prolong flowering and prevent self-seeding, deadhead the spent blooms, though leaving them can provide a winter food source for birds, and add winter food source for birds, and add winter interest as the frost highlights their architectural form.

Flowering period:

Eventual height:

1.8m

Eventual spread:

0.6m

Position:

Full sun

Rate of growth:

Average

Soil:

Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Hardiness:

Fully hardy

This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.