Description

Echinops -Globe Thistle

Globe Thistle features magnificent, steel blue/purplem mace-like heads above deeply serrated grey-green leaves. It is a very stately back of border plant, and makes a good dried flower. This hardy perennial reaches the height of 120cm.

Sow outdoors from April to June, in a seed bed, 0.5cm deep, into finely-prepared, well-drained soil, which has already been watered. Seedlings usually appear in 21-35 days. Thin seedlings to 5cm apart, when large enough to handle. Keep moist and weed free. Plant out to flowering position in autumn, allowing 35cm between plants. Or sow indoors, April-June, 0.5cm deep, in a tray of compost. Water well and place in a cold frame, unheated greenhouse, or a warm kitchen windowsill. Keep moist. Transplant individually, when large enough to handle, to 7.5cm pots. Always hold seedlings by a leaf, never by the stem. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions, before planting out into well-drained soil, from September to October, 35cm apart. Flowers from May to July, the following year.