Globe thistle's spiky blooms and jagged foliage add exciting texture to summer borders and attract bees and butterflies without demanding much care or water. Native to the Mediterranean, it grows well in gravel gardens or mid-to-back borders in regular soil that is freely draining. Richer soils may cause the plants to sprawl a bit and require staking. Deadhead to lessen its self-sowing ways or keep for its ball-shaped seedheads, cutting back to the ground in autumn. Divide if needed every 3-4 years in spring or early fall.