Echinops (Globe Thistle)
Globe Thistle, Great Globe Thistle, Echinops bannaticus, Echinops ritro, Echinops sphaerocephalus (Echinops)
Adding outstanding contrast, interest, and color to the summer garden while being trouble-free and low maintenance, Echinops (Globe Thistle) makes an invaluable contribution to the landscape. Blooming from mid-summer to early fall, their bold and ornamental, steel blue or pristine white, globe-shaped flowers (the size of a golf ball) are truly lovely and enchanting. Borne at the end of sturdy stems, they dance gracefully above their handsome foliage of thistle-like dark green leaves.
- Globe Thistles grow up to 2-5 ft. tall (60-150 cm) and 1-3 ft. across (30-90 cm). They will self-seed in the garden if not deadheaded.
Click here to see all Echinops varieties
- They thrive in full sun in average, consistently moist, well-drained soils. They tolerate some partial shade as well as a wide range of soils, including poor dry soils. While moisture is required during their growing season, Globe Thistles are drought tolerant thereafter.
- Globe Thistles are lovely additions to beds and borders, cottage gardens, wildlife gardens or coastal gardens.
- Resilient to most pests and diseases, deer and rabbit resistant, they are real magnets for bees or butterflies.
Click here to compare all Echinops varieties
- Deadheading the flowers will extend the bloom season.
- Cut down winter damaged stems to the base in early spring. Flowers are excellent for dried arrangements. Cut them before they open and dry them upside down.
Click here to find Great Garden Ideas with Echinops
Guide Information
| Hardiness |
3 - 9
|
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 11
|
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, A2, A3 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Echinops - Globe Thistles |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
| Height | 2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders |
| Garden Styles | Cutting Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Compare All Echinops - Globe Thistles Great Plant Combination
Ideas with Echinops - Globe Thistles Guides with Echinops - Globe Thistles
Recommended Companion Plants
Garden Examples
123RF Stock Photo
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Guide Information
| Hardiness |
3 - 9
|
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 11
|
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, A2, A3 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Echinops - Globe Thistles |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
| Height | 2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders |
| Garden Styles | Cutting Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Compare All Echinops - Globe Thistles Great Plant Combination
Ideas with Echinops - Globe Thistles Guides with Echinops - Globe Thistles
Related Items
Garden
A Cheerful Border Idea with Monarda, Achillea and Digitalis
Attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and low...
Garden
An Easy Perennial Planting Idea with Echinops, Eryngium and Perovskia
Fairly easy to replicate, this pretty prairie planting...
Garden
A Pretty Perennial Planting Idea with Echinops, Eryngium and Sedum
Fairly easy to replicate, this interesting prairie planting...
Garden
Dahlias and Companion Plants - Gold & Vermilion Theme
To help you plan your summer or early fall garden, here is...
Garden
A Luminous Perennial Planting Idea with Echinacea pallida and Agastache
Awash with colors and shapes, this luminous plant...
Garden
A Fabulous Perennial Planting Idea with Echinops, Echinacea and Agastache
This naturalized perennial combination enjoys a long season...
Garden
A Striking Summer Border Idea with Echinops and Agastache
Created by world acclaimed designer, Piet Oudolf, at RHS...
Garden
A Cheerful Summer Border Idea with Easy-to-Grow Perennials
The beauty and diversity of the plants selected for this...
Garden
A Long-Lasting Summer Garden Idea with Marigold and Sage
This summer garden idea combines easy-to-grow annuals and...
Garden
A Spectacular Summer Planting Idea with Dahlia, Zinnia, Chinese Aster and Ammi visnaga
This desirable and long-lasting summer border is fairly...
Garden
Softening Path Edges With Ajuga reptans
Ajuga reptans or Bugleweed has been selected here by Arthur...
Garden
A Terrific Spring Border Idea with Elegant Tulips and Siberian Bugloss
A pastel palette for weeks of color!
