This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: dry, well-drained, poor to moderately fertile
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: July to August
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  An upright, herbaceous perennial with spiky, highly divided, silvery-green foliage from which flowering cones emerge encircled by a ruff of long and prickly, intense-blue bracts. ‘Big Blue’ lives up to its name and would make a bold addition to dry, sunny borders and gravel gardens where the ‘everlasting’ blooms will attract masses of bees.
  
  
• Garden care: Lift and divide large colonies in spring. Avoid the temptation to cut back the flower-heads in autumn as they provide interest in the winter garden.