Echinops 'Nivalis'
globe thistle 'Nivalis'
A tall, upright, clump-forming perennial to 2m with stout, branching, pale grey stems supporting hairy, grey-green foliage, with spine-tipped, jagged lobes and, in late summer, spherical white flowerheads 7cm across

Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Grey Silver | White | Green Grey Silver | |
| Autumn | Grey Silver | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Genus
Echinops can be annuals, biennials or perennials with simple or pinnately lobed, spiny leaves and spherical blue or whitish flower-heads
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Best in poor, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate most soils and partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in seed bed in mid spring, by division in spring or autumn, or by root cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Gravel garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead to prevent self-seeding and cut to the ground in autumn
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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