This plant stands 2 to 4 feet tall with hairy white stems, and its leaves are 6 to 8 inches long with deep wavy margins and white undersides. Globe thistle produces about 4 to 10 dark-blue, spherical flower heads per branched stem. These flower clusters will begin to appear in late June and bloom until nearly September. The stiff stems are good for cut and dried flowers. Deadhead to prevent self-seeding.

Small globe thistle is an excellent, drought-tolerant, back-of-the-border anchor plant; it is also a favorite of bees and butterflies. Bee-ware of the prickly foliage.