Description
Echinops bannaticus ‘Taplow Blue’
A very vigorous variety which can grow to 5 to 6 feet 1.8m) in height, making it larger than the other regularly seen Echinops. Excellent if you have the space to let it grow to its full potential and very effective with larger grasses. Flowers are a silvery metallic blue and magnet for bees. Stiff silvery stems with silver-backed thistle-like leaves which terminate in globes the size of a spiky golf ball. Great architectural quality and very undemanding and rewarding. Flowers can be dried upside down for everlasting decorations if cut early. Requires only sun and decent drainage in any soil to do well.
EA Bowles would often recommend these plants to entomologists fro their gardens. There is nothing finer for attracting night feeding moths which can be viewed at in the dark with a torch.
In the wild, Echinops grow in grassland or particularly on dry gravelly slopes, which makes them particularly well suited to hot dry site on poor soils. The flowers dry well if cut before the flowers fully open. Removing the first flowers early can encourage a second later flush.
Although the majority of Globe Thistles are blue, there is one red species that comes from Kenya.
The Greek species, Echinops viscosus is used to produce a form of chewing gum known as Angado Mastiche.
The name Echinops derives from the Greek Echinos, a sea urchin or hedgehog, and opsis to resemble.
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