Product Description
Echinops bannaticus 'Blue Glow' (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: Globe Thistle
A member of the Aster family, Echinops is a clumping perennial that is very easy to grow but not invasive. Beginning in early summer, intense blue spheres measuring 1.5" across appear on tall, unbranched stems. Bumblebees and nocturnal moths delight in their sweet nectar. This variety is very similar to E. ritro with leaves that are more deeply divided and hairy.
These distinctive flowers rise above the showy silvery green foliage. Though they look prickly, they are not as rough to the touch as you might expect. Echinops makes a great cut flower or dried everlasting. They add a unique element to any arrangement and are becoming more popular with florists every year.
Echinops is best when grown in poor, well-drained soil and full sun. However, it will tolerate almost any soil and part shade. To encourage rebloom in the fall and to prevent self-seeding, spent flowers should be removed.
Mature plants 3 or more years old may be propagated by removing the small plantlets surrounding the main clump of foliage and replanting them. This may be done in either spring or fall.
Height: 3.0-4.0 Feet
Spread: 2.0 Feet
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: Blue shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) * Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Average Water Needs
Poor to Average Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer to Late Summer
Attracts Butterflies
Deer and Rabbit Resistant
Seasonal Interest: Dried Seed Heads
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Dried Flower, Drought Tolerant, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant, Specimen, Focal Point
Echinops bannaticus 'Blue Glow', commonly known as globe thistle, is a striking perennial with an intriguing architectural presence. This captivating plant, a member of the Asteraceae family, is native to parts of Europe and Asia. As a low-maintenance plant that thrives in a variety of conditions, 'Blue Glow' is an excellent choice for busy gardeners or those new to gardening.
Distinctive Features 'Blue Glow' features a basal rosette of deeply lobed, silvery-green leaves that provide an attractive contrast to the dramatic, globe-shaped flowers. These mesmerizing blue globes, measuring about 1.5 inches across , appear in midsummer on sturdy stems that can reach heights of 3 to 4 feet. The long flowering season extends from early summer to fall, providing continuous color in the garden. The distinctive flowers persist into fall, offering long-lasting visual interest and unique structural elements.
Care and Cultivation 'Blue Glow' thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. While it tolerates a wide range of soils, it actually prefers poor, well-drained soil. It is adaptable to various soil types, including clay and sandy soils. Once established, it is remarkably drought-tolerant and perfect for dry, rocky soils. This makes it an excellent choice for xeriscaping, a landscaping method that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation.
To ensure healthy growth, water newly planted Echinops regularly during dry spells to help them establish. Once established, water only occasionally during prolonged dry periods. Deadheading spent flowers in late summer encourages additional blooms and maintains a tidy appearance. Excellent for cutting, it flowers more than once in a season.
Echinops will self-seed. If you'd rather collect seeds than leaving them to self-seed, collect them in autumn when the petals have been replaced by the silvery seeds. Snip off the flower head in autumn and remove the seeds, placing them in a paper bag and storing in a cool, dry place until the following spring.
Cut back Echinops in autumn or leave until spring. In sheltered gardens, dry Echinops seedheads can be striking and sculptural, particularly when touched with frost.
| Companion Plant | Benefits/Characteristics |
| Achillea (Yarrow) | Contrasting foliage and flowers attracts pollinators |
| Agastache | Creates a striking summer border; attracts pollinators |
| Alliums | Bold architectural forms; adds vertical interest |
| Artemisia | Drought-tolerant; silvery foliage provides contrast |
| Buddlejas | Provides a backdrop in scrubland gardens; attracts butterflies |
| Campanula | Soft, billowing forms contrast with Echinops' spiky blooms |
| Cardoons | Architectural plants with bold foliage |
| Catmint (Nepeta) | Pollinator-friendly; aromatic foliage |
| Coneflower (Echinacea) | Contrasting flowers; attracts pollinators |
| Crocosmia 'Lucifer' | The fiery orange flowers create a stunning contrast with the cool blue globes of 'Blue Glow' |
| Delphiniums | Tall, stately forms; adds vertical interest |
| Eryngium (Sea Holly) | Spiky, architectural forms; drought-tolerant |
| Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) | Architectural plant with feathery foliage |
| Foxgloves | Tall, elegant forms; adds vertical interest |
| Grasses | Provides textural contrast; drought-tolerant |
| Gypsophila | Airy, delicate flowers; drought-tolerant |
| Hollyhocks | Tall, stately forms; adds vertical interest |
| Lavender | Fragrant flowers; attracts pollinators |
| Monarda (Bee Balm) | Pollinator-friendly; aromatic foliage |
| Perovskia (Russian Sage) | Drought-tolerant; silvery foliage provides contrast |
| Phlox | Contrasting flowers; attracts pollinators |
| Roses | Romantic cottage garden feel; provides fragrance |
| Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan) | Contrasting flowers; attracts pollinators |
| Salvia | Pollinator-friendly; aromatic foliage |
| Sea Hollies | Architectural forms; provides textural contrast |
| Sedum (Stonecrop) | Drought-tolerant; provides late-season interest |
| Verbena | Pollinator-friendly; long blooming season |
Landscape Uses 'Blue Glow' is a versatile plant that can be incorporated into various garden settings:
- Borders: Its structural form and intense blue color create a dramatic contrast with surrounding plants. Plant 'Blue Glow' towards the back of the border to add height and visual interest.
- Cottage Gardens: Its informal charm blends seamlessly with other flowering perennials. Combine 'Blue Glow' with plants like roses, lavender, and hollyhocks for a classic cottage garden look.
- Gravel Gardens and Xeriscapes: Its drought tolerance makes it an excellent choice for water-wise gardens. In a gravel garden, 'Blue Glow' can provide striking vertical accents among drought-tolerant grasses and succulents.
- Wildflower Meadows: Its ability to thrive in poor soil makes it suitable for naturalistic landscapes. Plant 'Blue Glow' in drifts among other wildflowers for a meadow-like effect.
- Cut Flower Gardens: The long-lasting flowers are prized for fresh and dried arrangements. Create a cutting garden with 'Blue Glow' and other long-stemmed flowers like delphiniums and foxgloves.
Pests and Diseases While generally pest-resistant, Echinops can be susceptible to certain pests. Globe thistle is the host plant of weevils Larinus vulpes and Larinus onopordi. However, Echinops b. 'Blue Glow' has no serious insect or disease problems. Aphids may occur, but intervention is rarely required.
Additional Information
- Wildlife: 'Blue Glow' attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. It is also deer-resistant. With the growing interest in pollinator gardens and the decline of pollinator populations, incorporating plants like 'Blue Glow' into your garden can provide valuable habitat and food sources for these essential creatures.
- Propagation: Mature plants can be propagated by dividing the clumps in spring or fall.
- Hardiness: 'Blue Glow' is hardy in USDA Zones 3-8.
Echinops bannaticus 'Blue Glow' is a remarkable perennial that offers a unique combination of beauty, hardiness, and versatility. With its captivating blue globes that seem to float above the foliage, 'Blue Glow' is sure to become a conversation starter in your garden. Its distinctive globe-shaped flowers, attractive foliage, and ability to attract pollinators make it a valuable addition to any garden. With its low-maintenance nature and adaptability to various conditions, 'Blue Glow' is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
