Echinops 'Blue Glow'

The sensational, globe shaped flowers bloom freely amongst upright, thistle like foliage through summer and into autumn. The flowers are 2.5-5cm across. Echinops ‘Blue Glow’ was bred for cut flower production so you can be assured of a high number of blooms and they have nice strong stems. The flowers are very attractive to beneficial pollinators.

The Echinops leaves are mid green and oval when young, then, as the plants mature, the leaves become heavily lobed and thistle like. This bold foliage makes a strong architectural statement in the garden. Each leaf grows up to 25cm. The spines are soft to the touch.

Echinops flowers will last well when cut for indoor arrangements. They can even be dried. They are commonly known as Globe Thistles.

Echinops grow well in a sunny location in a well drained soil. They will cope well with poor soil. Echinops will grow to form a large clump with more and more blooms as they establish. We recommend dead heading the first round to encourage more.

Keep an eye out for aphids, especially in summer, treat with your choice of insecticide (home made or commercial). Cut back when you are ready, the senescent foliage and flowers will hold their own over winter for an early spring prune – or you might prefer they are cut back when the silver turns to bronze.