Echinops ritro L.
small globe thistle
Robust, upright herbaceous perennial, with jaggedy-divided, prickly dark green leaves whitish beneath. Rounded, violet-blue flower heads on silvery, branched, leafy stems, from early in midsummer
Synonyms
Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue' misapplied
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5鈥�1 metresTime to ultimate height
2鈥�5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1鈥�0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
奥别濒濒鈥揹谤补颈苍别诲pH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South鈥揻acing or West鈥揻acing or 贰补蝉迟鈥揻补肠颈苍驳
Exposure
ExposedDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Echinops can be annuals, biennials or perennials with simple or pinnately lobed, spiny leaves and spherical blue or whitish flower-heads
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- C&E Europe to C Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Best in poor, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate most soils in full sun and can tolerate partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in seed bed in mid spring. Propagate by division in spring or autumn. Propagate by root cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead to prevent self-seeding
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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