Echinops bannaticus 'Taplow Blue'

Echinops bannaticus ‘Taplow Blue’ creates dramatic impact at the back of the border, its spherical, pale blue flowers bobbing about on the top of strong, silvery stems. The ball-like flowers create dynamic contrasts with other strong flower shapes such as flat-topped Achillea and daisy-like Echinacea. The late summer blooms rise high above clumps of deeply cut, grey-green foliage, and are a great magnet for bees and butterflies. Coping well with drought and poor thin soils, Echinops bannaticus makes a good choice for sunny Mediterranean gravel gardens or informal cottage-style borders. The globular flowerheads make a striking addition to cut flower arrangements, either fresh or dried. Height: 1.2 - 1.8m (4-6ft). Spread: 60–100cm (24–39 in).