Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue' (Globe Thistle) — Clump-forming

Overview

Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue' is a plant with a clump-forming habit in the genus Echinops, with deciduous foliage. Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include coastal gardens, gravel gardens, cottage gardens, wildlife gardens, city gardens, cut flowers and flower borders.

About

Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue' is a clump-forming globe thistle that bears spherical flower heads. It is deciduous and performs best in full sun on well-drained soils such as chalk, loam or sand. Flowering runs from July to September and the plant tolerates exposed, south-, west- or east-facing sites. It is fully hardy (H7) and suits coastal, gravel and cottage settings as well as city gardens and cut-flower production.

About the genus

Echinops is a genus of about 130 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, commonly known as globe thistles. They have spiny foliage and produce blue or white spherical flower heads. They are distributed from central Asia, Mongolia and north-eastern China to the Mediterranean basin, temperate regions of Eurasia, reaching to Indian subcontinent and tropical Africa.

Wikipedia contributors, "Echinops", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Echinops

In the garden

A member of the globe thistle group, Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue' produces unmistakable spherical flower heads on erect stems and forms a steady clump each season. The species group has a wide Eurasian distribution, and this cultivar follows the same architectural habit: upright, angular stems and seasonally deciduous foliage. Expect flowering from July to September. Position in full sun on free-draining soils — chalk, loam or sand all suit it — and avoid waterlogged ground. It tolerates a wide soil pH range (acid to alkaline) and will sit happily on exposed banks or seaside plots; choose south-, west- or east-facing aspects for best display. Hardiness is H7, so plants withstand typical UK winter conditions without special protection. Use it in gravel gardens, coastal plantings, cottage borders, wildlife-friendly schemes or for cutting. In borders it provides vertical structure and a late-summer focus; in wildlife gardens the dense seedheads offer resources later in the year. Plant so the upright stems can be readily accessed for cutting or appreciation: the globe heads reliably mark the border from July to September.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Echinops

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure: Exposed
UK hardiness: H7

Plant details

Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue' size, habit and characteristics

Habit: Clump-forming
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: Coastal gardens, Gravel gardens, Cottage gardens, Wildlife gardens, City gardens, Cut flowers, Flower borders

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue'

Propagation: Seed, Division, Root cuttings
Pest resistance: Aphids
Disease resistance: Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue'?

Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue' prefers full sun. It suits exposed positions.

What soil does Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue' need?

Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.

Is Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue' hardy in the UK?

Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.

How do I propagate Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue'?

Seed, Division, Root cuttings.

More in the Echinops genus

Browse all Echinops →