Echinops ritro, ‘veitchs blue’ globe thistle, is a hardy perennial with a slow but sure growth pattern. It will form a clump with tall stalks topped by spherical blue flowers up to the size of a golf ball.
Though it lacks the prickly pins of a real thistle, it has attractive spiny, cobweb leaves beneath its’ deep metallic blue flowers, which bees and other pollinators enjoy.
It’s natural flowering time of July and August can be extended by cutting back. It is also great for cut flower displays.
Gardeners World recommends “close planting with other tall striking late summer plants such as cardoon, echinacea or tall miscanthus grasses in an island bed”.
It grows well in most soil types, but prefers well draining earth with full sun to partial shade. If clumps become too congested it’s best to lift and divide during the autumn dormancy.
Plant Type: Hardy Perennial.
 |
Height: 90cm |
 |
Spread: 50cm |
  |
Soil and watering: Poor, dry to medium well drained. Light watering. |
 |
Flowers: from July to September |
  |
Position:: Full sun to partial shade. |
 |
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3 – 9 (-40 to -7°C) |
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.