Echinops Sphaerocephalus, also known as glandular globe-thistle, pale globe-thistle or great globe-thistle is a hardy perennial native to Eurasia. It has also been introduced to North America and you can find great globe-thistle in the mountains of southern France and southern and central Europe. The plant grows up to 150 cm high. The name of the species means ?hedgehog-like? because of the spiny round heads of flowers. Echinops Sphaerocephalus has whitish-blue flowers that are divided almost to the base into 5 lobes. The plant flowers from June until September. Great globe-thistle?s fruits are hairy cylindrical achenes about 7 to 8 mm long. They ripen from September through October. Echinops Sphaerocephalus has hairy, pointed green leaves. They are sticky and grey-green above and white woolly below. The plant enjoys most soil conditions but requires a well drained soil. It prefers full sun or semi-shade. Echinops Sphaerocephalus is frost hardy. Hardiness Zone: 4-8