Echinops sphaerocephalus – Globe Thistle –

Description

Echinops – Globe Thistle – There are about 120 species of erect perennial, biennials, and annuals, in this genus. They occur in hot, gravelly slopes and dry grassland from Central and Southern Europe to Central Asia, India and in the mountains of tropical Africa. Globe thistles have simple, smooth edged or pinnatifid to pinnatisect, spiny foliage, usually grayish white and woolly. They bear spherical, white, gray, or blue terminal flowers, with bristly bracts. Undemanding plants, they are suitable for a large border or wild garden. They are also good for cutting and drying. Most cultivated species grow to 4′ feet tall or more. Best grown in poor, well drained soil in full sun, but will grow in almost any soil in full sun or partial shade. Deadhead to prevent self seeding. Divide from autumn to spring. Prone to aphids. E. sphaerocephalus – This vigorous clump forming perennial from Central and Southern Europe, the Caucasus and Russia grows 6′ feet tall and half as wide. It produces oblong-elliptic, pinnatifid or 2-pinnatifid to pinnatisect, spiny, gray-green leaves, to 14″ long, hairy beneath. In mid and late summer it bears spherical, silvery gray flowers, to 2 ½” across, are carried on thick gray stems Zones 3-9