Globe Thistle > National Home Gardening Club

BY: Mary Pestel

If you're looking for a perennial with all-summer display, consider globe thistle (Echinops ritro).
Its 1- to 2-inch, globe-shaped flower heads start out steely blue in early summer and turn bright blue as the summer progresses. It has unique, thistle-like dark green leaves with deep lobes, wavy margins, and a downy white underside. Plant this low-maintenance perennial in the back of the border near other perennials that enjoy similar growing conditions. Coneflowers, garden phlox, and ornamental grasses are good partners.

Plant Facts
Common name: Globe thistle
Botanical name: Echinops ritro
Plant type: Clump-forming perennial
Height: 24 to 36 inches
Zones: 3 to 9
Family: Asteraceae

Growing conditions
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Poor to average well-drained soil
Moisture: Moderate to dry

Care
• Mulch: Mulch with 2 inches of organic compost to deter weeds.
• Fertilizer: Add a light application of organic fertilizer when planting.
• Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers if you want to prevent self-seeding. In warmer climates, deadheading will encourage a second bloom.

Cultivars
• ‘Veitch's Blue' (pictured) has flower heads that are more blue than the species and is a good choice for fresh-flower arrangements. Blooms reach 3 to 4 feet tall. Zones 3 to 9.
• ‘Taplow Blue' has gray-blue flowers. Grows 2 to 4 feet tall. Zones 3 to 9.

Garden notes
• Does best in poor, sandy soils. May require staking in rich soils.
• Pastel pink flowers complement foliage and blue flowers.
• Forms beautiful, spiny, globe-shaped dried flower heads on sturdy stems. To dry flower heads, cut and place in a warm, dry spot.
• Use caution because plant can be rough on unprotected hands and feet.

Pests and diseases
• Not susceptible to insects and disease.
• Propagation
• Divide from fall to late spring, but keep in mind that its large taproot makes division difficult.
• Sow seeds in spring.

All in the family
• Echinops giganteus has gray-blue flower heads. Foliage is similar to Echinops ritro, but it grows 15 feet tall. Zones 4 to 8.
• Echinops bannaticus has gray-blue flowers and grows 1½ to 4 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9.
• The Asteraceae family is a huge family that includes yarrow, golden marguerite, aster, cornflower, and gazania.

Photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder

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Current Articles \| Archives \| Search Globe Thistle BY: Mary Pestel 0 If you're looking for a perennial with all-summer display, consider globe thistle (Echinops ritro). Its 1- to 2-inch, globe-shaped flower heads start out steely blue in early summer and turn bright blue as the summer progresses. It has unique, thistle-like dark green leaves with deep lobes, wavy margins, and a downy white underside. Plant this low-maintenance perennial in the back of the border near other perennials that enjoy similar growing conditions. Coneflowers, garden phlox, and ornamental grasses are good partners. Plant Facts Common name: Globe thistle Botanical name: Echinops ritro Plant type: Clump-forming perennial Height: 24 to 36 inches Zones: 3 to 9 Family: Asteraceae Growing conditions Sun: Full sun Soil: Poor to average well-drained soil Moisture: Moderate to dry Care • Mulch: Mulch with 2 inches of organic compost to deter weeds. • Fertilizer: Add a light application of organic fertilizer when planting. • Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers if you want to prevent self-seeding. In warmer climates, deadheading will encourage a second bloom. Cultivars • ‘Veitch's Blue' (pictured) has flower heads that are more blue than the species and is a good choice for fresh-flower arrangements. Blooms reach 3 to 4 feet tall. Zones 3 to 9. • ‘Taplow Blue' has gray-blue flowers. Grows 2 to 4 feet tall. Zones 3 to 9. Garden notes • Does best in poor, sandy soils. May require staking in rich soils. • Pastel pink flowers complement foliage and blue flowers. • Forms beautiful, spiny, globe-shaped dried flower heads on sturdy stems. To dry flower heads, cut and place in a warm, dry spot. • Use caution because plant can be rough on unprotected hands and feet. Pests and diseases • Not susceptible to insects and disease. • Propagation • Divide from fall to late spring, but keep in mind that its large taproot makes division difficult. • Sow seeds in spring. All in the family • Echinops giganteus has gray-blue flower heads. Foliage is similar to Echinops ritro, but it grows 15 feet tall. Zones 4 to 8. • Echinops bannaticus has gray-blue flowers and grows 1½ to 4 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9. • The Asteraceae family is a huge family that includes yarrow, golden marguerite, aster, cornflower, and gazania. Photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder Comments There are currently no comments, be the first to post one. Post Comment Only registered users may post comments.