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Family
Asteraceae
Botanical Name
Echinops
Plant Common Name
Globe Thistle
General Description
This large genus is made of about 120 mostly perennial species which are naturally distributed across Eurasia and Africa. Known commonly as globe thistles, Echinops species are members of the same plant family as asters and daisies. They are cultivated for their interesting, round flower heads that add architectural interest to the garden, and make beautiful fresh or dried cutflowers.
These usually tall, substantial plants have upright stems which may be branched or unbranched. The leaves are basal (held near the ground) or arranged alternately on the stems. Foliage is most often grey-green and may be lobed, pinnate (feather-like) or have serrated edges. Spines are often borne on the upper surfaces or edges of the leaves, and leaf undersides are frequently covered with white, wooly hairs. The eye-catching, rounded flowerheads that appear atop the branches are composed of many small, tubular flowers with linear, spreading lobes. These inflorescences may appear singly or in few-branched clusters. They typically bloom in summer and fall, and appear in shades of brilliant blue, grey-blue, purple or white. Small, angled seeds follow the flowers, and have long hairs which help facilitate wind dispersal.
Among the most commonly grown Echinops species is blue globe thistle (E. bannaticus), a clumping perennial from southeastern Europe with spiny foliage and stiff branches topped with gray-blue flower heads in summer. Great globe thistle (E. sphaerocephalus, native to portions of central and southern Europe and Russia, has spiny, deeply divided leaves and large, single globes in spring and fall. It has escaped cultivation to become invasive in some parts of North America. Small globe thistle (E. rito) is a Eurasian native with beautiful, metallic-blue blooms in late summer and fall, and very spiny leaves with white, wooly undersides.
Typically easy to grow, globe thistles provide a stunning focal point in the garden, and are attractive to bees, birds and butterflies. Hardiness and culture varies among species, but most prefer full sun and excellent drainage, and are tolerant of most soils, including those which are sandy or poor. They are typically hardy, requiring some winter chill for best growth, and are also tolerant of heat and drought, though they grow best with occasional deep soakings. Plant these beautiful perennials in groups and masses for best impact, and site them where children can look but not touch the spiny foliage without supervision.
