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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) — Blooming from mid to late summer, it attracts pollinators while being deer resistant; it thrives in, image 152

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — annual / wildflower for full; adding a touch of drama and allure to their outdoor canvas, image 116

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — starkly contrasting blooms from midsummer through early fall; blue flowers in the garden, image 112

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — These blossoms rest atop stiff; ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens, image 101

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — clients will enjoy its ornamental charms; its unique blossoms are magnets for pollinators, image 111

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — each globe typically measuring about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter; echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus', image 100

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — this hardy species boasts striking spherical flower heads

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens; clients will enjoy its ornamental charms, image 66

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — such as bees and butterflies; annual / wildflower with blue blooms, image 137

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — and is best situated in full sun exposers; these blossoms rest atop stiff, image 77

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus'; mature plants reach up to 3-4 feet high and spread 2-3 feet wide

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — adding a touch of drama and allure to their outdoor canvas; drought-resistant and preferring full sun, image 84

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — but also for its resilience; enhancing the ecological value of the landscape, image 103

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — such as bees and butterflies; annual / wildflower with blue blooms

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

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens; clients will enjoy its ornamental charms, image 95

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — metallic blue flower heads atop silvery

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Drought-resistant and preferring full sun, it thrives in USDA zones 3-8; metallic blue flower heads, image 150

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — and is best situated in full sun exposers; these blossoms rest atop stiff, image 135

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — this hardy species boasts striking spherical flower heads; but also for its resilience, image 127

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

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — starkly contrasting blooms from midsummer through early fall; blue flowers in the garden, image 83

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Blooming from mid to late summer, it attracts pollinators while being deer resistant

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — such as bees and butterflies

Photographs by 12 contributors

Katrin Schneider / korina.info, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Stefan.lefnaer, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Le.Loup.Gris, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0 · source
Conall, CC BY 2.0 · source
Rison Thumboor from Thrissur, India, CC BY 2.0 · source
Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Adamantios, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Tournasol7, CC BY 4.0 · source
Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 · source

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