How many of you grow Globe Thistle and how long-lived is it? I planted 3...they made it through the winter and grew fine last year. Now this year, only 1 has come back and the others are totally dead. It almost looks like a very short-lived plant, judging by the old growth that dies off...it just doesn't look like most other perennials I've seen. You'd think it would grow great, since it mainly looks like a weed until it blooms!
I've had them die off over the winter too. They usually don't last more than a couple of years for me. If you let the seeds drop babies will sprout all over the place and you can relocate them when they're small. I think that sharp drainage is a must for their survival.
Echinops seem to go on for ever in my experience - they thrive in well-drained, poor soils in full sun. Give a mulch over if the winters are hard. Don't use fertilisers.
Peter.
It has good drainage. I guess I'll try to save some seed this year. It was looking kinda bad last year after blooming so I whacked off the seedheads.
