Echinops ritro – Small Globe Thistle – Globe Thistle –

Description

Echinops – Globe Thistle – There are about 120 species of erect perennial, biennials, and annuals, in this genus. They occur in hot, gravelly slopes and dry grassland from Central and Southern Europe to Central Asia, India and in the mountains of tropical Africa. Globe thistles have simple, smooth edged or pinnatifid to pinnatisect, spiny foliage, usually grayish white and woolly. They bear spherical, white, gray, or blue terminal flowers, with bristly bracts. Undemanding plants, they are suitable for a large border or wild garden. They are also good for cutting and drying. Most cultivated species grow to 4′ feet tall or more. Best grown in poor, well drained soil in full sun, but will grow in almost any soil in full sun or partial shade. Deadhead to prevent self seeding. Divide from autumn to spring. Prone to aphids. E. ritro – Small Globe Thistle – This compact, clump forming perennial found from South Central and Southeastern Europe to Central Asia grows 24-30″ tall and 18-30″ wide. It produces oblong-elliptic, pinnatifid to pinnatisect, stiff, prickly leaves, to 8″ long, dark green and cobweb above, white downy beneath. In late summer it bears spherical flowers, to 1 3/4″ across, metallic blue before the florets open, maturing to a brighter blue. Zones 3-9