Description
Echinops ritro
perennial
comes in 1 or 2 gallon pots
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.
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.
zones 3-9
