Echinops sphaerocephalus ‘Arctic Glow’

Description

Echinops sphaerocephalus ‘Arctic Glow’

Each individual flower that makes up the globular flower head is a pure white star with an extended spike-like style that is stained blue. They are carried on red stained stems above leaves that are distinctly olivey green. Each plant forms a bulky clump to about 80cm in height. Flowers July to August. Originates from Southern and Central Europe across to Russia.

Echinops

EA Bowles would often recommend these plants to entomologists fro their gardens. There is nothing finer for attracting night feeding moths which can be viewed at in the dark with a torch.

In the wild, Echinops grow in grassland or particularly on dry gravelly slopes, which makes them particularly well suited to hot dry site on poor soils. The flowers dry well if cut before the flowers fully open. Removing the first flowers early can encourage a second later flush.

Although the majority of Globe Thistles are blue, there is one red species that comes from Kenya.

The Greek species, Echinops viscosus is used to produce a form of chewing gum known as Angado Mastiche.

The name Echinops derives from the Greek Echinos, a sea urchin or hedgehog, and opsis to resemble.