Globe Thistle
Echinops species. ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAE).
Planting and Growing Globe Thistle
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow globe thistle in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of globe thistle
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for globe thistle
- Season of bloom and planting time for globe thistle
- When, how deep, and where to plant globe thistle
- How to plant globe thistle
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of globe thistle
- Landscape and container uses of globe thistle
- Comments about globe thistle and its features
Growing Globe Thistle
About 100 species of spreading, upright, biennial and perennial herbs, 3–4 ft. (90–120 cm) tall, 18–24 in. (45–60 cm) wide. Spiny, hairy, coarse-textured, deep green, thistlelike, toothed leaves, to 1 ft. (30 cm) long, usually with white undersides.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Spiny, blue, white, globe-shaped flowers, in dense armored clusters, 2–3 in. (50–75 mm) wide, in summer–autumn.
Best Climates
Hardy. Zones 3–9.
Soil Type and Fertility
Damp, well-drained, sandy soil. Fertility: Rich–average. 5.0–6.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full to filtered sun, 18–24 in. (45–60 cm) apart, when soil is workable.
Proper Care
Easy–moderate. Keep moist until established; allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Drought tolerant. Fertilize annually in spring. Stake in rich soil. Thin regularly. Propagate by cuttings, division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for accents, backgrounds in natural, rock, wildlife, woodland gardens. Good for cutting, drying. Attracts birds, butterflies. Pest and disease resistant.
Warning:
Flowers, foliage, stems, and leaves of Echinops species bear sharp spine- or needle-like tips and pose a safety hazard. Always wear puncture-proof garden gloves when caring for globe-thistle plants.