Globe Thistle 'Ritro' (Echinops)

5 bare roots
£12.99
£2.60 each
10 bare roots
£21.99
£2.20 each
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25 bare roots
£49.99
£2.00 each
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The name Echinops comes from the Greek ekhinos (hedgehog) and ops (appearance), a perfect description for its spiky, hedgehog-like flowerheads.

A fantastic architectural perennial, Echinops ritro, or the Globe Thistle, brings wonderful texture, colour, and structure to the garden. It forms a handsome clump of large, thistle-like leaves that are deep green on top and a contrasting, downy white underneath. In mid to late summer, the plant sends up strong, branching, silvery stems, each topped with a perfectly spherical, spiky flowerhead. The flowerheads start as silvery-green globes and gradually open into a stunning shade of intense, metallic blue. These globes are a magnet for bees and butterflies, who can often be seen covering the flowers. The flowerheads remain attractive long after the colour has faded, providing winter interest, and they are exceptional for both fresh and dried flower arrangements. It is a tough, drought-tolerant plant that thrives on neglect.

Botanical name Echinops ritro
Flower colour Blue
Bulb size N/A (sold as plant/root)
Established height 90-120 cm
Established spread 50-60 cm
Plant spacing 60 cm apart
Leaf colour Green, Silver
Habit Clump-forming, upright
Life cycle Perennial
Hardiness Fully hardy
Years to establish 1st year
Sunlight Full sun
Position Exposed or Sheltered
Suitable for Borders, Gravel gardens, Wildlife gardens, Cut flower gardens
Soil acidity Any
Soil moisture Well-drained
Soil type Loam, Sandy, Chalky
RHS Award (AGM) Yes
Growing skill Easy to grow
Pollinator-friendly Yes
Deer resistant Yes

Where to Plant:

Commonly known as the Globe Thistle, this architectural perennial thrives in conditions that other plants might struggle in. It needs a position in full sun and loves poor, dry, or stony soil with excellent drainage. It is a perfect choice for a gravel garden or a dry, sunny border, where its metallic-blue, spherical flower heads will create a striking display and prove irresistible to bees. Because it develops a deep taproot, choose its final planting position carefully as it dislikes being moved.

How to Plant:

Plant young, container-grown plants in spring or autumn. Dig a hole slightly larger than the pot, place the plant inside ensuring it is at the same depth as it was in the pot, backfill with soil and firm it down. Water it well after planting. Space plants about 60cm apart to give them room to develop into a handsome clump. It is best to plant them when they are young, as they establish much better than larger, more pot-bound specimens.

Aftercare:

This is an exceptionally low-maintenance plant. Once established, it is very drought-tolerant and will not require any additional watering. To prevent self-seeding, you can deadhead the flowers once they have faded. However, the dried seed heads are highly ornamental and provide wonderful structure and texture if left on the plant into the winter months. Cut the old, dead stems back to the ground in early spring before the new foliage appears.

Planting and Flowering Calendar

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Key Features

Packed in paper

Packed peat-free

Great for Shade

Attracts wildlife

Drought tolerant

RHS Award (AGM)

Good for cutting

Globe Thistle 'Ritro' (Echinops) - Harding & Bloom

£12.99

£12.99

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