Globe Thistle

[Les E]

HI There,
I read with interest the thread about Buddlia another great plant for insects is Globe Thistle or Echinops.These tall thistle like prickly leaved perennials are marvalous plants grown side by side with Buddlia in a wild part of the garden they seem to suit each other.Bees,wasps and hoverflys cant resist the purple globe shaped flowers that appear at the same time as the Buddlia flowers.I cut the stems down in autumn but leave them lying to give sheter for mini beasts in winter.
Regards Les.

[mrs fish]

Thistles are great for insects, I see more insects on Thistles than any other plant

Good for you for growing them

[djackso]

Originally Posted by Les E

another great plant for insects is Globe Thistle or Echinops.These tall thistle like prickly leaved perennials are marvalous plants grown side by side with Buddlia in a wild part of the garden I cut the stems down in autumn but leave them lying to give sheter for mini beasts in winter.

In my garden, a similar plant is a Cardoon - the bees love it. The ladybirds and hover-flies are attracted by the aphids and so lay their eggs on it. I don't deadhead so this gives an over-wintering spot.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by djackso

In my garden, a similar plant is a Cardoon - the bees love it. The ladybirds and hover-flies are attracted by the aphids and so lay their eggs on it. I don't deadhead so this gives an over-wintering spot.

I've got a large Cardoon in flower in my garden at present + a couple of small self-sown offspring + can vouch for their attraction to bees. Early in spring the emerging grey foliage is very attractive + late in the year the House Sparrows love collecting the seeds!

[Susie]

I have globe artichokes, and I agree they are grand for bees. I didn't see a single butterfly on it though (although that could have been that there were none about).

I don't know though if, considering the amount of room they take up, that they are really worth growing unless you want a very striking architectual plant for the garden.

I think globe thistle is probably my favourite of the garden thistles.

[Cheryl]

I've got a couple of Globe Thistle plants too and they are great for bees and wasps. Mine arn't particularly tall - just a general border plant size.

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Cheryl

I've got a couple of Globe Thistle plants too and they are great for bees and wasps. Mine arn't particularly tall - just a general border plant size.

Yes too right they are brilliant for all sorts of wildlife ive got a variety in different locations in the garden, an easy to look after plant. shei.