Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue'
globe thistle 'Veitch's Blue'
A compact, clump-forming perennial to 90cm tall, with stiff, spiny leaves, dark green above and downy white beneath. In summer, blue spherical flowerheads appear, and flowering may be repeated in autumn. Good for cutting
Synonyms
Echinops 'Veitch's Dwarf Blue'Echinops bannaticus 'Veitch's Blue'
see moreEchinops 'Veitch's Blue'
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Blue | Green | ||
Autumn | Blue | Green | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Echinops can be annuals, biennials or perennials with simple or pinnately lobed, spiny leaves and spherical blue or whitish flower-heads
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Best in poor, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate most soils in full sun and can tolerate partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in seed bed in mid-spring. Propagate by division in spring or autumn. Propagate by root cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Wildlife gardens
- City and courtyard gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Cut flowers
Pruning
Deadhead to prevent self-seeding
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.