Globe Thistle Blue Echinops Ritro is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. Globe Thistle Blue seeds can be started indoors, and it is recommended to apply a cold treatment prior sowing the seeds. Echinops Ritro grows up to 48 inches tall featuring thistle-like foliage with 6-8 inch, deeply lobed, grey-green leaves with distinctive spines and blooming in summer and fall with globular, thistle-like, 1-2 inches in diameter, steel-blue flowers on stiff, rigid stems. Globe Thistle Blue flowers are loved by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Globe Thistle Blue makes a good fresh or dry cut flower, and this plant is also a popular choice for growing in cottage and butterfly gardens, cutting and mixed perennial gardens, and perennial borders. Echinops Ritro seeds can be planted directly outdoors in spring or fall, and once established Globe Thistle is very dependable, low maintenance plant that tolerates poor, dry soils and drought.
PLANT PROFILE
Season: Perennial
Height: 48 Inches
Bloom Season: Summer/Fall
Environment: Sun
Soil Type: Average/Poor/Dry/Moist well-drained, pH 5.8-6.8
USDA Zones: 3-9
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Sow Indoors: Winter/Spring (4-6 weeks before last frost)
Sow Outdoors: Spring/Fall
Seed Depth: Surface sowing - press seeds slightly into the soil
Germination Time: 14-21 Days
