Plant Type: Perennials
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. 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.
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Growing & Maintenance Tips:
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.
Flower Color
BlueFoliage Color
Silvery-greenPlant Spread
2 ft.Good Companions
Daylily (Hemerocallis ), Gayfeather (Liatris spicata), Iris-Tall Bearded (Iris ), Phlox-Tall Garden (Phlox paniculata), Poppy-Oriental (Papaver orientale), Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Plant Height
3-4 ft.Scape Height
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Hardness Zone
3-8Soil Moisture
Average to low water needsCharacteristics & Attributes
Attributes
Mass Plant, Dried Flower, Border, Salt tolerant , Drought tolerant, Cut flower or foliage, Specimen
Bloom Time
Early summer to summerCritter Resistance
Deer and rabbit resistantExposure
Full sun to part shadeGrowth Rate
MediumSeasonal Interests
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