skip to main content

Placement of echinops ritro (globe thistle)

16 years ago

I got a $1 plant from where my husband works part time (a farm)...and just want it for cutting purposes for bouquets (should I have gotten 2?)

Should I put it somewhere where it can be seen (in front sunny perennial bed)? Is it an ugly plant when it gets bigger? Is it invasive? I've never seen it except for in photos....Thanks! :0) Phyl

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

debgrow
16 years ago
I have a few of these and they're planted in a garden that runs along the side of my driveway (in the front yard). They are among my favorite perennials. Put them where they will get full sun and good drainage. And they're not easy to move, because they have a long taproot, so be sure to put them in a spot where you can live with them for a few years. Other than that, they have no special care needs; they're a very hardy plant here in the midwest.

They do drop seeds that sprout, so watch for seedlings. They are not invasive, but they do spread nicely as they mature.

Mine are at the back of narrow (8' wide) border - they get to be about 4' tall at maturity. I have Phlox David near them, and Rudbeckia Goldsturm in front of them, asters to the other side, and I like the combination very much (good variety/compatibility) of foliage and colors.
phylrae
Original Author
16 years ago
Deb,
Thanks so much for all the great info! More than I had even expected! I'm wondering if I should go back and buy one or two more plants, since they were discounted 75% to only $1 each. I just want them for bouquets. :0)Phyl
Related Discussions
Echinops tienschanicum, giant globe thistle
Q
Comments (2)
Thanks for your reply, conniesc. All I could find at brothernature was seed for Echinops ritro, the small species which is available from a lot of places. I'm hoping to find seed for Echinops tienschanicum which gets huge, 5 to 6 feet tall with giant flowers. Tom
...See More
Can you tell me about Echinops?
Q
Comments (6)
Hi! I dont have either of those particular cultivars; I have E. 'Blue Glow'. This will be my third year growing it. Echinops are a tought, hardy, and drought tolerant plant. Mine is planted on the west side of my house, which is really hot and dry. Its a good plant for out there, but its not really a favorite plant. The leaves and flowers are sharp, so I wouldnt reccomend falling into one (lol, the voice of experience here!). Mine isnt big yet, but ive seen some that are four feet tall with a similar spread. Theres an interesting new one, 'Artic Glow', that has white flowers and reddish stems. Hope this helps you! CMK
...See More
Sharing my winter sowing successes and failures this year
Q
Comments (18)
Maryjo, My peony poppies really didnt look like much (leaves not very tall) so I figured it'd be a while. My pansies and violas have been starting to flower this past week...what else? Not much else wintersown (yet), and I know many wont flower this year, but as long as they thrive and grow :) My WS tomatoes took forever and were tiny. I started some indoors that THRIVED, esp'lly when I transferred them to grow bags. I have never been really good at starting seeds, but this year I started a few types of seeds (and not all at once) under my kitchen cabinet lights! :) The thing with the 2 liter bottles is they will dry out faster than larger containers, but just as long as you realize that, and keep up with them in the spring, they are a good starting container. I didnt have problems with bunnies...and I KNOW we have at least 2 in the yard/back woods as I've seen them For some reason they have not bothered my seedlings; but someone said if they are big enough they shouldnt be interested. What about putting bird netting on/around them? I did that when my seedlings were very small in containers but they weren't ready to plant out, as I have a squirrel who is always looking for food! Obnoxiously so. He comes onto my screened porch thru the doggie door!
...See More
Globe thistle companions
Q
Comments (11)
It's been at least 15 years since I threw down seed, and it's taken that long for my plants to reach almost 6 feet in my 6-plant patch. The 4-plant patch is younger and not as tall, but shows the same type of height growth (app. 1 inch/year after the first 3 feet). My friend's plants don't exceed 3 feet, but are growing at 7,000 ft. altitude with minimal supplemental irrigation. My plants get regular drip irrigation, but at low levels, and are only at 3,000 feet. Even at 3,000 feet, sunlight is intense and summers here are hot (over 100 for the next two weeks). The thistles get at least 10 hours of sun, and take it very well. Really tough plants. I'm envious of the growth rate of LaLennoxa's plant. Also, I deadhead the plants. I know there's no such thing as a 500 per cent germination rate, but that's what it seems like if even one flower is left to go to seed. And I hope my plants don't start spreading from the roots. How would I know? What does it look like?
...See More
oldroser
16 years ago
I divided mine very successfully. They have gotten to be big clumps after a few years and I just took a shovel to the outer edge and got a rooted piece. Didn't look very happy at first but these are tough, tough plants as long as they have poor soil and good drainage.
Bear in mind that it doesn't take long before you have a big, bushy looking plant some four feet across.
chelone
16 years ago
Echinops is one of my very favorite plants! It bothers me that so many disparage it as "common" or "rank". I think it's a marvel of evolution, symmetry, and geometry! :)

It is rock solid hardy, it shrugs off drought, and thrives in marginally crappy soil, as long as it's well drained. All it requires is full sun or at the very least, the strong, hot sun of late afternoon.

The foliage is really nice; blue/green and looks really medieval and scarey, but isn't "mean", at all. The flowers are COOL... round, spikey, kinda scarey... but not really, at all. Nothing eats it or bothers it. My kind of plant!

My two came from my boss. They were effectively 2 gallon plants when I planted them. Now, 5-6 yrs. later they're HUGE. They top 5' and span nearly the same width. They're beautiful. Give your new plant 2-3 yrs. to get to that size. I've never tried it, but I've been told that clipping the flowers will trigger the plant to rebloom. (My boss used to sell the cut flowers). I have yet to notice any reseeding in my garden... but I'd like it if it did!

I've planted mine with big grasses, an Hydrangea ("Annabelle"), and some early bulbs and flowering groundcovers. And now is when I regret not deadheading and fussing over them more, I'd love to see the bloom period extended!

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Globe Thistle

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Trot out globe thistle in a sun-drenched garden spot for strikingly sculptural blue flowers through October

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Gorgeous Perennials to Plant Now

By The Estate of Things

Take advantage of warm spring weather to create a colorful garden with blooming plants, succulents and ornamental grasses

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Beachfront Garden Stands Up to the Elements

By Annie Thornton

A sophisticated outdoor entertaining space relies on tough plants and resilient materials to bring indoor living outside

SUMMER GARDENING 6 Water-Wise Perennials for Blazing High-Altitude Summers

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Scorching weather and high elevations don't have to mean scraggly plantings. These blooms are as gorgeous as they are tough

Sponsored

Mary Shipley Interiors

32 Reviews

Columbus OH Premier Interior Designer 10x Best of Houzz

More Discussions

Upcoming eclipse

41

Your MAY 2024 highlights

32

1000+ bulbs planted last fall

11

Can't remember the name

9

View from the deck

15