Echinops bannaticus 'Blue Glow' (25) BR Plants

Echinops bannaticus 'Blue Glow'
a/k/a Globe Thistle
Zones 3 to 8;
Full sun to part shade.
Mature size 3 to 4 inch height, spreads 24 inches.
erect, clump-forming herbaceous perennial .

A member of the Asteraceae family, Echinops is a clumping perennial that is very easy to grow. Beginning in early summer, intense 1.5-inch blue spheres on tall stems rise above the showy silvery green foliage. Flowers look prickly, but are not as rough to the touch This variety is very similar to E.ritro with leaves that are more deeply divided and hairy.

Echinops tolerates almost any soil, except rich soils, and part shade but is best when grown in poor, well-drained soil and full sun. This taproot plant is difficult to divide or transplant. Mature plants (3 or more years old) may be propagated by removing the small plantlets surrounding the main clump of foliage and replanting them. This may be done in either spring or fall.

To encourage rebloom in the fall, spent flowers should be removed. Plants may self-seed but are not invasive. Echinops makes a great cut flower or dried everlasting. They add a unique element to any arrangement and are becoming more popular with florists every year.

Attributes: border plants, cut or dried flowers, drought and salt tolerant, and in mass plantings. Attracts butterflies. Deer and rabbit resistant.

Mature field grown plant shipped bare root.

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