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
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!
