The Best Companion Plants For Globe Thistle: Create A Beautiful And Diverse Garden

June 29, 2023 Post a Comment

The Best Companion Plants for Globe Thistle: Create a Beautiful and Diverse Garden

Globe thistles are a striking addition to any garden, with their large, spiky flowers that come in a variety of colors. But globe thistles can also be a bit of a lone wolf, so it's important to choose the right companion plants to create a beautiful and diverse garden.

In this blog post, we'll discuss the best companion plants for globe thistle, based on their size, color, and growing requirements. We'll also provide some tips on how to plant and care for these plants together.

So, what are the best companion plants for globe thistle?

Here are a few of our favorites:

Echinacea: Echinacea is a close cousin of globe thistle, and it shares many of the same growing requirements. Echinacea comes in a variety of colors, including white, pink, purple, and red. It's a great choice for attracting pollinators, and it can also help to deter pests.
Russian sage: Russian sage is a tall, upright plant with blue or purple flowers. It's a great choice for adding height and structure to a garden, and it also attracts pollinators. Russian sage is drought-tolerant and easy to care for.
Yarrow: Yarrow is a low-growing plant with bright yellow flowers. It's a great choice for filling in the gaps between taller plants, and it also attracts pollinators. Yarrow is easy to care for and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions.
Agastache: Agastache is a tall, upright plant with blue, purple, or pink flowers. It's a great choice for adding color and fragrance to a garden, and it also attracts pollinators. Agastache is drought-tolerant and easy to care for.
Black-eyed Susan: Black-eyed Susan is a tall, daisy-like flower with yellow petals and a brown center. It's a great choice for adding color and texture to a garden, and it also attracts pollinators. Black-eyed Susan is easy to care for and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions.

How to plant and care for globe thistle and its companion plants

When planting globe thistle and its companion plants, it's important to consider the size and growth habits of each plant. Globe thistles can grow up to 6 feet tall, so you'll need to plant them in the back of a border or garden bed. Echinacea, Russian sage, yarrow, agastache, and black-eyed Susan can all grow up to 3 feet tall, so you can plant them in the middle or front of a border.

All of these plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are relatively drought-tolerant, but they will appreciate regular watering during the summer months.

Conclusion

By choosing the right companion plants for globe thistle, you can create a beautiful and diverse garden that will attract pollinators and add interest all season long.

Here are a few additional tips for planting and caring for globe thistle and its companion plants:

Plant globe thistle and its companion plants in the spring or fall.
Amend the soil with compost or manure before planting.
Water the plants regularly, especially during the first year.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
Divide globe thistles every 3-4 years to keep them healthy and vigorous.

With a little care and attention, you can enjoy your beautiful and diverse garden for many years to come.

Globe thistles are a beautiful addition to any garden, but they can be a bit of a challenge to pair with other plants. They need full sun and well-drained soil, and they can be quite tall, so it's important to choose companions that will complement their needs.

Some good companion plants for globe thistles include:

Echinacea (coneflower): These two plants have similar needs and will bloom at the same time, creating a beautiful display of colors.
Agastache (hyssop): The spiky foliage of agastache provides a nice contrast to the round globes of the thistles, and the two plants will attract a variety of pollinators.
Phlox (garden phlox): Phlox is a low-maintenance plant that will bloom for a long period of time, providing color and interest in the garden.
Yarrow (Achillea): Yarrow is another drought-tolerant plant that will bloom for a long time, and its white flowers will provide a nice contrast to the blue or purple globes of the thistles.

If you're looking for more information about globe thistle companion plants, I recommend visiting Gardenia Inspiration. This website has a wealth of information on all aspects of growing globe thistles, including companion plants, pests, and diseases.

FAQ of globe thistle companion plants

Q: What are the best companion plants for globe thistle?

A: Globe thistle is a tall, spiky plant that can be a bit of a diva. But with the right companions, it can really shine. Here are some of the best companion plants for globe thistle:

Yarrow: Yarrow is a low-growing plant that helps to attract pollinators to the globe thistle. It also helps to deter pests.
Purple coneflower: Purple coneflower is another tall, spiky plant that looks great with globe thistle. It also attracts pollinators and helps to deter pests.
Lavender: Lavender is a beautiful, fragrant plant that helps to deter pests. It also helps to attract pollinators.
Echinacea: Echinacea is a close relative of globe thistle, and it looks great when planted together. It also attracts pollinators and helps to deter pests.
Salvia: Salvia is a colorful, drought-tolerant plant that helps to attract pollinators. It also helps to deter pests.

Q: What are the benefits of planting companion plants with globe thistle?

A: There are many benefits to planting companion plants with globe thistle. Some of the benefits include:

Attracting pollinators: Companion plants can help to attract pollinators to the globe thistle, which helps to improve pollination and fruit production.
Decreasing pests: Companion plants can help to deter pests from the globe thistle. This is because some companion plants release chemicals that repel pests.
Improving soil quality: Companion plants can help to improve soil quality by adding nutrients and organic matter. This can help the globe thistle to grow healthier and stronger.
Creating a more diverse garden: Companion planting can help to create a more diverse garden, which is beneficial for both plants and wildlife.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when planting companion plants with globe thistle?

A: There are a few common mistakes to avoid when planting companion plants with globe thistle. These include:

Planting too close together: Globe thistle can get quite tall, so it's important to plant it far enough away from other plants so that they don't crowd each other out.
Planting in the wrong location: Globe thistle prefers full sun, so it's important to plant it in a location where it will get plenty of sunlight.
Not watering enough: Globe thistle needs regular watering, especially during its growing season. If you don't water it enough, it may not flower or may not grow as well.

Q: How long does it take for globe thistle to flower?

A: Globe thistle typically takes about 2 years to flower. The first year, the plant will focus on growing its roots and leaves. The second year, the plant will flower.

Q: What are the best growing conditions for globe thistle?

A: Globe thistle prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can tolerate some partial shade, but it will flower better in full sun. Globe thistle is also drought-tolerant once it is established.