From afar, Echinops ritro on a fine summer morning look like a galaxy of blue moons to me.
‘Globe thistle’ or ‘blue hedgehog’ seem apt common names ….
Violet-blue pom-poms at peak flowering point.
Beguiled bees feast at the blue nectar bar from dawn to dusk.
Barn House Garden 
Love the zooming in closer in each pic. Fabulous plant.
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Thanks, Sam. They’re such good bee magnets, the bumble bees even sleep under the globes at night. So cute!
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They are gorgeous, I can’ t imagine why I haven’ t got any. Beautiful shots!
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I’d recommend them for adding late colour and interest to the late summer garden. Look wonderful mixed with yellows too.
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It has been such a good year for echinops, hasn’t it? Your clump is much bigger than mine though so looks even more spectacular!
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Yes,they have done well, get better year on year. They seem to like this spot, mix of builders infill and heavy clay in part shade.
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Shame there areen’t more plants that are equally tolerant!! Saying that, mine are in completely different situation – a sunny spot with good deep arable soil!
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Wonderful shots.
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Thanks!
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Such stunning close up photos and they look so blue! Mine seem rather grey in comparison!
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I think I was just lucky to catch them when the mass of florets were at their peak, in a day or two they’ll start to fade back to silvery grey. Still very lovely tho’.
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Love that plant. I had it at a previous house. A real bee magnet. On the list.
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As you know, Persicaria amplexicaulis is another one they love right now, but plant a block of it -the noise is amazing.
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I tried Echinops seed this year. They germinated OK but the slugs had the lot. Strange, I would have thought the rough texture would put them off. Next year, again..
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Did you keep them under cover or cast potent spells? I recall your garlic potion! Mature plants cope with early season damage, tho’ you’re right odd they should be such a choice item on the planty menu.
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As with everything, seedlings did fine under cover, it’s when they go out in the garden there’s a problem. I haven’t been disciplined enough with the garlic spray.. it has to be reapplied after rain!!
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Perhaps given the conditions and battalions of things waiting to munch stuff it’s amazing we have such a range of happy, healthy plants at all.
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Sad to say I managed to kill some echinops I planted a few weeks ago. In general terms what growing conditions do they like? Mind you it could be that my cat sat on them!
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They’re said to be best in poor, well drained soil in full sun – mine grow in partial shade on a mix of rubble and heavy clay. A prickly spot for a cat to choose, bad luck. My cats like rolling in geraniums, so I put empty hanging baskets over the top of the plants in spring.
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Beautiful! I wish I had a spot for these in my garden.
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They are lovely at this time of year …
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I have picked a bunch of these today to dry. I hope to spray them for later in the year. (Note not mentioning the C word)
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Nice idea, I have some hanging in the shed for C too. Ssshhh!
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That’s a lovely series of shots. Not sure I’ve ever see one so completely out and blue as yours. Mine seem to erupt in patches, but the bees still love them.
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Maybe lots of thistles do this, especially teasels? Catching the echinops all over blue was a fluke.
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Love them – I have one but doesnt seem to get much bigger – in pot.
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I wonder if flowers well in a pot.
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I love the ‘galaxy of blue moons’, Kate!
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I’m pleased you do too 🙂
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So lovely, Kate.
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