Echinops exaltatus
tall globe thistle
A clump-forming, upright perennial, reaching up to 2m. It has pale, silvery-blue spherical flower heads up to 7cm across on tall, branched stems held above the thistle-like green foliage throughout summer and autumn
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Grey Silver Blue | Green | ||
Autumn | Grey Silver Blue | Green | ||
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 the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- 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
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Best in poor, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate most soils in full sun and can tolerate partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in seed bed in mid spring. Propagate by division in spring or autumn or by root cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead to prevent self-seeding
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.