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Echinops ritro (Small globe thistle)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Echinops ritro
Other names
Small globe thistle, Blue hedgehog, Globe flower, Steel globe thistle, Blue globe thistle
Genus
Echinops Echinops
Species
E. ritro - E. ritro is a robust perennial, with divided, prickly dark green leaves whiter underneath, and round, violet-blue flowerheads on silver-grey, branched, leafy stems.
Echinops ritro is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Blue, Silvery-grey in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids Aphids
General care
Pruning
Deadhead to prevent self-seeding.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed, Root cuttings
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Where to grow
Echinops ritro (Small globe thistle) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grows well in poor, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate most soils in full sun and can also tolerate part shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Echinops ritro
Other names
Small globe thistle, Blue hedgehog, Globe flower, Steel globe thistle, Blue globe thistle
Genus
Echinops Echinops
Species
E. ritro - E. ritro is a robust perennial, with divided, prickly dark green leaves whiter underneath, and round, violet-blue flowerheads on silver-grey, branched, leafy stems.
Native to
Central Asia, Central Europe, Eastern Asia, Eastern Europe
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Blue, Silvery-grey in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
General care
Pruning
Deadhead to prevent self-seeding.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed, Root cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Echinops ritro (Small globe thistle) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grows well in poor, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate most soils in full sun and can also tolerate part shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
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Echinops ritro (Small globe thistle)
Echinops ritro (Small globe thistle)
Echinops ritro (Small globe thistle)
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Echinops ritro
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