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Echinops - Blue Globe Thistle (ECHINOPS RITRO VEITCH'S BLUE)

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Echinops - Blue Globe Thistle (ECHINOPS RITRO VEITCH'S BLUE) Globethistle Blue Globe Flower

Height 3 to 4 ft

Perennial

Globethistle (Echinops ritro) originates from Siberia and Central Europe. This is an incredibly ornamental variety and makes an amazing ornamental feature plant in any style of garden. 

Great summer bloomer - perfect for cutting gardens and great for use as dried flowers. Bright blue flowers in dense spherical heads sit atop grayish white and fuzzy spiny foliage. Will self seed unless flowers heads are removed. 

  • Full sun to part shade
  • Well-draining soil and will tolerate poor soil
  • Direct seed after all risk of frost has passed and cover seeds lightly
  • OR start indoors 8 weeks before the last frost. Cover seeds lightly.
  • Transplant seedlings outdoors when they are strong enough to handle and all risk of frost has passed. 
  • Spacing: 20 in apart.

Growing from Seed:

  • Seed Prep
    • No complicated pretreatment needed (though a short cold stratification of 2–3 weeks can improve germination).
    • Use fresh, clean seed.
  • When to Sow
    • Indoors: Start 6–8 weeks before last frost.
    • Outdoors: Direct sow in spring after soil warms, or in fall for natural cold stratification.
  • Sowing Depth & Spacing
    • Sow seeds ¼ inch (6 mm) deep.
    • Space or thin seedlings to 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) apart.
  • Germination
    • Germination time: 14–21 days.
    • Ideal soil temperature: 18–21°C (65–70°F).
    • Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
  • Transplanting
    • Harden off seedlings before planting out.
    • Plant into full sun, in well-drained soil (tolerates poor, dry soils).
  • Growing On
    • Water sparingly once established (drought tolerant).
    • Avoid rich, overly fertile soil (too much fertility = floppy plants).
    • Globe thistle is a low-maintenance, long-lived perennial.
  • Bloom & Care
    • Flowers in mid to late summer (second year from seed).
    • Unique metallic blue, globe-shaped blooms loved by bees and pollinators.
    • Deadhead for extended bloom or leave seed heads for winter interest.
  • Mature Plant
    • Height: 3–4 feet (90–120 cm).
    • Spread: 18–24 inches (45–60 cm).
    • Hardy in zones 3–9.
    • Tip for pollinator gardens: Globe Thistle is bee-magnetic — plant near other pollinator-friendly perennials for a thriving garden. F
  • Seed Count: 10
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