Echinops sphaerocephalus

RHS Plant Profile
glandular globe thistle

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glandular globe thistle RHS

Other common names

great globe thistle

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A fast-growing, clump-forming perennial to 2m in height, with spiny grey-green leaves, and thistle-like silvery-grey flower heads on stout grey stems during mid and late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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
Plant Range
Eurasia

How to Grow

Cultivation

A hot position with full sun in well-drained soil is best but tolerant of almost any soil or situation except deep shade

Propagation

By division in spring or by root cuttings in the dormant season. Propagate by seed in mid-spring as this cultivar will come true from seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Architectural
  • Gravel garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down winter-damaged stems to the base in early spring

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free