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Echinops ritro

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
EK-in-ops REE-troh
Description

The many small, blue flowers that make up the round head of Globe Thistle are very attractive to bees and butterflies. It is easily grown in a variety of soils but must be well-drained and not too fertile. The Blooms appear mid-summer through September and the gray-green hairy leaves are also attractive. The plant is tolerant of drought, deer and rabbits. Use in the back of the perennial border.

To keep the deep blue color in dried arrangements, cut flowers when young and place in a warm, dry room.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • ‘Veitch’s Blue’
    Bluer flowers with whitish stems
‘Veitch’s Blue’
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#blue flowers#summer flowers#cutting garden#pollinator plant#dried arrangements#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • ‘Veitch’s Blue’
    Bluer flowers with whitish stems
‘Veitch’s Blue’
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#blue flowers#summer flowers#cutting garden#pollinator plant#dried arrangements#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Echinops
    Species:
    ritro
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe to Mongolia and Turkey
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Spherical seedheads are attractive.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Crown
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1-2 inch steel-blue round flower heads appear on stiff stems in mid-summer through September. Small individual flowers are star-shaped.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Coarse, spiny, deeply-dissected, gray-green leaves are white tomentose beneath. Basal leaves grow to 6-8” long and 1-3 inches wide, but stem leaves grow shorter.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stiff grayish-white stems with hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits