Echinops banaticus, commonly known as Blue Globe Thistle, is a deciduous herbaceous perennial native to grasslands, rocky slopes, and scrubby areas in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region. The plant typically grows to a height of 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters) and a width of 0.5-1 feet (0.2-0.3 meters). Its appearance is characterized by deeply lobed, spiny leaves and spherical, steel-blue flower heads that bloom in mid to late summer, attracting bees and butterflies. The flowers are quite showy and can add a unique texture to garden settings.

Blue Globe Thistle is valued for its striking flower heads, which can be used in both fresh and dried floral arrangements. It is often used in borders, gravel gardens, and as part of wildlife-friendly plantings. This plant is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping, and it thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. While it generally requires low maintenance, it is important to avoid overly fertile or moist soils to prevent the plant from becoming too leggy. There are no major disease problems, but powdery mildew can occur in humid conditions. It is not known for being invasive but can self-seed if flower heads are not removed.CC BY-SA 4.0