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Globe Thistle

Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus

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Overview

The Globe Thistle, Echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus', is a robust perennial producing striking, spherical, metallic blue flower heads atop silvery, thistle-like foliage. Mature plants reach up to 3-4 feet high and spread 2-3 feet wide. Drought-resistant and preferring full sun, it thrives in USDA zones 3-8. Its blooms make excellent cut flowers or dried arrangements. Blooming from mid to late summer, it attracts pollinators while being deer resistant. Ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens.

Sun FullWater LowZones 4–8Type Annual, WildflowerClimate Temperate

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — with a vivid metallic blue hue; deadheading spent flowers can encourage a second bloom and prevent, image 128

Culture

Sun: Full
Water: Low
USDA zones: 4–8

Shape & size

Mature height: 2–3 Ft.
Mature width: 1–2 Ft.

Classification

Type: Annual, Wildflower
Family: Polemoniaceae
Climate: Temperate

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Photos (190)

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — These blossoms rest atop stiff; ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens, image 159

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — or Echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus'; is a robust perennial producing striking, image 154

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Deadheading spent flowers can encourage a second bloom and prevent self-seeding

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — starkly contrasting blooms from midsummer through early fall; blue flowers in the garden

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — its unique blossoms are magnets for pollinators; such as bees and butterflies, image 107

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus'

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8; annual / wildflower for full, image 104

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — blue flowers in the garden

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Hailing from the Asteraceae family; or Echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus', image 68

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — These blossoms rest atop stiff

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens; clients will enjoy its ornamental charms, image 153

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — deeply lobed foliage that stretches on stems rising to a stately height of 2 to 3 feet, image 131

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — its unique blossoms are magnets for pollinators; such as bees and butterflies

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — this hardy species boasts striking spherical flower heads; but also for its resilience, image 156

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens; clients will enjoy its ornamental charms

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — its unique blossoms are magnets for pollinators; such as bees and butterflies, image 78

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — deeply lobed foliage that stretches on stems rising to a stately height of 2 to 3 feet

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — is a robust perennial producing striking; this hardy species boasts striking spherical flower heads, image 118

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — adding a touch of drama and allure to their outdoor canvas; drought-resistant and preferring full sun, image 171

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — this hardy species boasts striking spherical flower heads; but also for its resilience, image 69

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — and is best situated in full sun exposers; these blossoms rest atop stiff, image 106

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — deeply lobed foliage that stretches on stems rising to a stately height of 2 to 3 feet, image 73

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — starkly contrasting blooms from midsummer through early fall; blue flowers in the garden, image 141

Photographs by 12 contributors

Anne The Librarian, CC BY 2.0 · source
Stefan.lefnaer, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
WOKRIE, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Josepgesti, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Le.Loup.Gris, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
hedera.baltica from Wrocław, Poland, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Katrin Schneider / korina.info, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Dezidor, CC BY 3.0 · source
Georg Slickers, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Robert Flogaus-Faust, CC BY 4.0 · source

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