Globe Thistle | Echinops ritro
Towering metallic-blue spheres
Grown by Mike's perennial specialists
UK
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Plant diary
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Globe Thistle
Echinops ritro
- Add incredible, towering structural interest to the back of your borders with the massive, spiky, metallic-blue spheres of this dramatic perennial.
- Echinops ritro features phenomenal, branching stems that hold the bold, architectural blooms high above the surrounding foliage for maximum impact.
- This echinops thrives in poor, dry soils and baking sun, making it an incredibly robust, deeply reliable choice for hot, low-maintenance gardens.
- It is famously ignored by deer and rabbits, ensuring your spectacular floral display remains perfectly intact and pristine all season long.
- The unique, drumstick-like blooms look utterly breathtaking when planted alongside soft, feathery ornamental grasses for a high-contrast, modern prairie look.
What to expect
Supplied as
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Globe Thistle can be grown in a pot, but needs a deep 40cm container for its taproot.
How big does it get?
Globe Thistle typically reaches a mature height of 90 cm and a spread of 50 cm.
How much sunlight does this need?
Globe Thistle requires full sun for at least 6 hours a day.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
Globe Thistle prefers well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil.
How much watering does this plant need?
Globe Thistle needs about 2.5 centimetres of water per week, keeping the soil evenly moist.
Will this plant need pruning?
Globe Thistle | Echinops ritro does not strictly need pruning, but regular deadheading will encourage more flowering. Cut the plant back to the base in late autumn or early spring.
How hardy is this plant?
Globe Thistle is fully hardy (H7), enduring temperatures below -20°C. It thrives uniformly across all regions of the UK without the need for winter protection.
The wider garden
UK
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