Log in Start trial

Globe Thistle

Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus

Design with this plant

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

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (190)

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — each globe typically measuring about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter; echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus', image 71

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — starkly contrasting blooms from midsummer through early fall

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Its blooms make excellent cut flowers or dried arrangements; hailing from the Asteraceae family

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Blooming from mid to late summer, it attracts pollinators while being deer resistant; it thrives in, image 123

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

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — demonstrating a robust tolerance to drought conditions once established; blooming from mid to late, image 105

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Mature plants reach up to 3-4 feet high and spread 2-3 feet wide; starkly contrasting blooms from, image 149

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — These blossoms rest atop stiff; ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens, image 130

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — with a vivid metallic blue hue; deadheading spent flowers can encourage a second bloom and prevent, image 99

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — adding a touch of drama and allure to their outdoor canvas; drought-resistant and preferring full sun, image 142

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — clients will enjoy its ornamental charms; its unique blossoms are magnets for pollinators, image 169

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — blue flowers in the garden; with a vivid metallic blue hue, image 172

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

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus'; mature plants reach up to 3-4 feet high and spread 2-3 feet wide, image 117

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — annual / wildflower with blue blooms; and is best situated in full sun exposers, image 86

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Deadheading spent flowers can encourage a second bloom and prevent self-seeding; each globe typically, image 81

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — annual / wildflower with blue blooms; and is best situated in full sun exposers

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — or Echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus'; is a robust perennial producing striking, image 67

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — each globe typically measuring about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter; echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus', image 158

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

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — annual / wildflower for full; adding a touch of drama and allure to their outdoor canvas, image 87

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — metallic blue flower heads atop silvery; demonstrating a robust tolerance to drought conditions once established

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens; clients will enjoy its ornamental charms, image 124

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

Photographs by 9 contributors

Stefan.lefnaer, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Tournasol7, CC BY 4.0 · source
Dezidor, CC BY 3.0 · source
Katrin Schneider / korina.info, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Dwight Sipler from Stow, MA, USA, CC BY 2.0 · source
Sandra Fauconnier, CC BY 4.0 · source
Le.Loup.Gris, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

Related plants

Amazing Grace Phlox (Phlox Subulata 'Amazing Grace') — blanketing its evergreen foliage in spring

Perennial

Amazing Grace Phlox

Phlox Subulata 'Amazing Grace'

FullUSDA 3–10

Annual Phlox (Phlox Drummondii) — In full bloom from spring to early fall; making it a favored choice for adding a pop of color to any garden, image 84

Annual

Annual Phlox

Phlox Drummondii

HalfUSDA 3–10

Apple Blossom Moss Phlox (Phlox Subulata 'Apple Blossom') — Ideal for rock gardens or cascading over walls

Perennial

Apple Blossom Moss Phlox

Phlox Subulata 'Apple Blossom'

FullUSDA 3–10

Astoria Phlox (Phlox Astoria 'White') — Astoria Phlox 'White' is a vibrant perennial with a bushy growth habit

Annual

Astoria Phlox

Phlox Astoria 'White'

'Backlight' Tall Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) — The Phlox paniculata 'Backlight' is an upright Proven Winners® garden phlox with fragrant

'Backlight' Tall Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata

Blueberry Phlox (Phlox drummondii) — Proven Winners - Southern Blaze® Blueberry - Phlox drummondii blue purple blue-purple plant details

Blueberry Phlox

Phlox drummondii