Echinops bannaticus 'Blue Globe' has darker blue flowers, while those of E. bannaticus 'Taplow Blue' are a more intense blue. E. exaltatus is huge, growing to 7ft, with silvery-white flowers.

At her wedding to Jack Brooksbank on Oct. 11 at Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel, the royal carried a crisp white bouquet with blue thistle, which contrasted the autumnal flowers that ...

When we stop to think about it, there really aren’t that many blue flowers, neither in our gardens nor in the wild. Oh yes, ...

Yet, it is the spiny foliage and blooms that make 'Big Blue' sea holly (Eryngium X zabelii 'Big Blue') so appealing. The knobby blue thistle flowers are centered on prominently flaring grayish ...

5. Sea Holly Picos Amethyst This striking plant is native to the Mediterranean and has stunning blue-purple thistle flowers that are best planted in sunny borders.

England has a rose, Wales a daffodil, Ireland a shamrock and Scotland the purple, prickly but proud thistle which has been our national emblem for centuries, here’s why.