Echinops Spaerocephalus -The Great Globe Thistle

The “Great” globe thistle, with the same characteristics of Banatius Star Frost but a Monster cousin for this group.  Growing up to 6 ½ feet this can appear almost “ghostly” in low light.  I have never seen it for sale anywhere, we do struggle to even get the seed and so always collect our own fresh.  This is a rare plant for any pollinator garden, giving drama and structure.

Echinops are simply Pollinator Heaven on a stick! Incredible Large White pom- poms are produced in abundance anywhere from June through to August.  When finished flowering these lovely giants’ seed heads are also completely attractive, so we leave them on.  Your plant will become a very large clump within 3 years, so dividing them is definitely an option for further free plants to share.

They have always been fully hardy for me even on heavy clay and so whatever temperatures the winter brings they will cope well. Like all members of this family they don’t like a soggy bottom so WONT sit in water, so if your border is wet please put in extra drainage and sit them a little proud of the soil.