Days to Maturity: 147; 77 from transplant
'Platinum Blue' Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro) is a highly ornamental perennial that blooms abundantly midsummer through early fall. The 1- to 2-inch flower heads are bold, spiky, and brilliant sky-blue spheres filled with the nectar honeybees and butterflies find irresistible. Borne atop stiff, rigid, woolly white stems, the flowers rise above finely feathered, dark green basal leaves. They make great cut flowers, fresh or dried. Attractive seed heads follow the flowers, adding textural interest to the late season garden.
A Echinops ritro, commonly called small globe thistle, the plant has an upright habit and a carefree attitude. It may self-seed under optimal conditions, but not aggressively. It is a great choice for the back of the perennial border, and it's perfect for xeriscapes, cutting gardens, and containers.
Cold hardy and easy to grow, globe thistle thrives in warm, dry regions, growing best in sunny to mostly sunny locations with poor, dry to medium moist, well-draining soils. But it grows well in a variety of soils, including shallow, rocky soils. But the soil must be well-drained, and if it's too fertile, the plants will become leggy. Although globe thistle is exceptionally low maintenance, deadheading spent blooms encourages a longer, heavier bloom and discourages any unwanted self-seeding. The plant is deer and rabbit resistant and salt, heat, and very drought tolerant.
