Echinops bannaticus aka Blue Globe Thistle

Taxonomy

Echinops bannaticus, commonly known as the blue globe-thistle, is an herbaceous perennial plant in the Asteraceae family. Native to southeastern Europe, particularly the Banat region in Central Europe (now divided between Romania, Hungary, and Serbia), this clump-forming upright perennial grows up to 120 cm (47 in) tall. It features silvery-green thistle-like leaves and produces spherical blue flower heads, measuring up to 4 cm across, on tall, grey-green stems throughout the summer. The spiny foliage of this erect globe thistle is deeply-dissected, with rough green leaves above and downy-white below. The gray-blue flower heads, resembling thistles, have a diameter of about 2 inches and bloom at the tops of the stems during summer. The genus name, Echinops, is derived from the Greek words echinos, meaning a hedgehog, and ops, meaning appearance, referring to the appearance of the flower heads.

Common names

Blue Globe Thistle, Banat Echinops, Blue Echinops

How to care for Blue Globe Thistle

Difficulty

Caring for Blue Globe Thistle is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Lighting

Blue Globe Thistle requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Banat Echinops is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Blue Globe Thistle to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.


More info:
Wikipedia