About
Sturdy, upright herbaceous perennial, with jaggedy-divided, prickly dark green leaves whitish beneath. Rounded, violet-blue flower heads on silvery, branched, leafy stems, from early in midsummer.
About the genus
Echinops can be annuals, biennials or perennials with simple or pinnately lobed, spiny leaves and spherical blue or whitish flower-heads
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Gravel garden, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, City and courtyard gardens
Native toC&E Europe to C Asia
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. Propagate by root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free