About
Echinops exaltatus, the tall globe thistle, is a robust, clump-forming perennial reaching 2 m tall with pale, silvery-blue, spherical flowerheads up to 7 cm across on tall, branched stems above deeply lobed, spiny, thistle-like foliage throughout summer and autumn. A magnificent architectural perennial for the back of a sunny border.
About the genus
Echinops, the globe thistles, are annuals, biennials and perennials with spiny, deeply lobed, thistle-like leaves and perfectly spherical flowerheads in shades of blue, white or grey in summer. Excellent architectural plants for sunny borders, very attractive to bees and butterflies.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained, Moist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationBest in poor, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate most soils in full sun and can tolerate partial shade
PruningDeadhead to prevent self-seeding
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in seed bed in mid spring. Propagate by division in spring or autumn or by root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free