Globe Thistle

Steel blue 1.5" flower heads attract a huge variety of pollinating insects. Prefers poor to average, well-draining soil. Plants are considered full sun, but ours do best, during prolonged heat and drought (with no watering!), when growing in light shade. Plants reach small shrub size when mature. Self-seeds fairly liberally, so I collect spent seed heads wearing gloves. Hard to eradicate once fully established. Few people grow it, sadly (probably because it is quite prickery). Nearly everyone passing by asks about it, it is so stunning when in bloom during summer. One of my favorite plants!