I've been working to get variety and more unusual flowers and plants in the flower gardens here at Struan Farm, searching out nurseries that grow different types of perennials that one can't typically buy at garden centres. Particularly ones that attract and support pollinators.
One such plant is "echinops" or "Globe Thistle," although I hesitate to use the word "thistle" without shuddering and thinking of weeds. Echinops is not a weed. The name means "hedgehog" in Greek. The plant is attractive to butterflies and bees, and is quite striking, don't you think? I'm enjoying the contrast of colour and texture, especially next to echinacea but also in flower arrangements. Florists use them quite a bit.
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