
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, it's best planted in poor, well-drained soil in full sun.
How to care for Echinops bannaticus Taplow Blue:
Tolerant of a wide range of soil types - poor, infertile, dry and well-drained, although surprisingly, can grow in rich soils. This is a tap-rooted plant that is unlikely to divide or transplant successfully. Prefers full sun, but can be grown in partial shade. Deadhead flowers to prevent self seeding or leave alone and let the frosts do the work.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
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.