Overview
Echinops exaltatus f. albus is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Echinops, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Echinops exaltatus f. albus grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, coastal, gravel garden, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds.
About
Echinops exaltatus f. albus is a bushy, herbaceous perennial cultivar of the Echinops genus, known for its spiny leaves and spherical flower-heads. This cultivar features whitish flower-heads, distinguishing it within the genus that typically presents blue or whitish blooms. It is deciduous and thrives in full sun or partial shade, favouring well-drained soils such as chalk, loam, or sand with a range of pH levels. Hardy to UK zone H7, it is suited to various garden settings including cottage, coastal, gravel, and wildlife gardens, offering interest through summer and autumn.
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
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Echinops
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 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 exaltatus f. albus size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Coastal, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Echinops exaltatus f. albus
- Propagation
- Seed sown in seed bed in mid spring, Division in spring or autumn, Root cuttings in winter
- Pest resistance
- Aphids
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Echinops exaltatus f. albus?
Echinops exaltatus f. albus prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed positions.
What soil does Echinops exaltatus f. albus need?
Echinops exaltatus f. albus 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 exaltatus f. albus hardy in the UK?
Echinops exaltatus f. albus 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 exaltatus f. albus?
Seed sown in seed bed in mid spring, Division in spring or autumn, Root cuttings in winter.
More in the Echinops genus
- Echinops nivalis or nivea of gardensGlobe Thistle
- Echinops ritroRuthenian globe thistle
- Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue'Southern Globe Thistle
- Echinops ruthenicusGlobe Thistle
- Echinops sphaerocephalusglandular globe thistle
- Echinops tournefortiiGlobe Thistle
- Echinops bann. 'Blue Globe'Globe Thistle
- Echinops bann. 'Taplow Blue'Globe Thistle