Echinops Blue Glow

Echinops is a unique member of the Aster Family that is easy to grow, but is not aggressive or invasive. In the early summer, echinops reveal 1.5” blue spheres that transition from deep blue to lavender on tall branchless stems. It is not a native plant, but is a plant that native pollinators appreciate, as many bees, butterflies and moths flock to the flowers. Silvery foliage is distinctive and deeply lobed adding rough textures to a garden. The leaves themselves are rough, but not prickly. Echinops flowers are very unique and make an excellent addition to spice up a more traditional floral arrangement. Echinops prefer poor, well-drained soil and exposure to full sun. It can tolerate almost any soil and part shade, but won’t grow as vigorously or flower as profusely. Spent flowers can be removed in the fall to encourage rebloom, but also to keep echinops from reseeding. Plants can be split by removing smaller plantlets every 3-4 years.