Description
White, starry globe flowers on tall dark brown stems above silvery green leaves. Flowerheads remain after blooming to provide shape and interest through the Winter while providing insect habitats in their hollow stems.
Height and spread: 1m Height, 0.50m Spread
Common name: Globe Thistle
Position in the garden: Full sun
Soil type: Well drained, will tolerate poor soil.
Flowering period: July to August
Hardiness: Fully Hardy
Goes well with:
Flowers - Agastache ‘Blackadder’ (giant hyssop), Echinacea pallida (pale coneflower), Eryngium agavifolium (sea holly), Salvia nemorosa ‘Cardonna’ (meadow sage).
Grasses - Sesleria autumnalis (autumn moor grass), Stipa gigantic (golden oats).
Care of Echinops sphaerocephalus 'Arctic glow'
Can be cut down to ground level after flowering to stimulate a second flush of flower heads. Large, congested clumps can be divided in Autumn or Spring.
Wildlife benefits
Provides pollen and nectar for bees and hoverflies and nectar for butterflies. Hollow stems and dried seed heads provide Winter habitiat for hibernating bees, ladybirds, hoverflies, lacewings and their larvae.
