Echinops bannaticus Blue Globe

Echinops bannaticus Blue Globe is a tall perennial known for its architectural habit. Its grey-green foliage is silvery underneath and divided into spiny segments, and it produces very large dark blue spherical flower heads at the top of stems that can reach 1.5m (5ft) in height in July and August.

Hardy and vigorous, the Blue Globe Thistle thrives in sunny and warm locations and grows well in well-drained rocky or sandy soils. The uniqueness of its flowers adds a touch of blue to flowerbeds at a time when yellows dominate, allowing for beautiful colour and shape contrasts.

Echinops bannaticus Blue Globe will find a place at the back of a sunny flowerbed or in a dry garden, alongside artemisias and yarrows, foxtail grasses and giant feather grass, or with yellow flowers such as Rudbeckias. It also makes an excellent cut flower, fresh or dried.

The genus name comes from the Greek word ekhinos (hedgehog) and opsis (resembling), referring to the small mammal with prickly hair, a useful companion in our gardens.