James H. Schutte
Family
Asteraceae
Botanical Name
ECHINOPS ritro 'Veitch's Blue'
Plant Common Name
Smaller Globe Thistle
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Prickly, thistle-like foliages is a deep green with silvery undersides is one pretty aspect of the Veitch's Blue small globe thistle, but the showstopper is the rounded deep blue flower clusters in late summer. A upright, clump-forming perennial, it hails from southeastern Europe eastward into central Asia.
The dark green leaves are coarsely lobed, looking like leaves of a thistle or pointy-leaf oak. There are white fibers on the leaf edges at times and the undersides are a downy white-gray. In late summer stems are topped with a globe-like cluster of tiny dark blue flowers, attracting bees and butterflies. The spent flowers turn tan, creating an architectural white, tan and dark brown globe. Seeds are shed and will germinate nearby.
Grow 'Veitch's Blue' in full sun to partial shade in nearly any average garden soil that does not become wet. The blue flower balls make pretty cutflowers, as does the foliage; dried flower balls are usable in dried arrangements. Use it as a lovely textural accent in the mixed flower border or cutting garden. It is a conversation-grabbing plant when it flowers in summer and again in autumn.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
26"-36" / 66.0cm - 91.4cm
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Width
20"-26" / 50.8cm - 66.0cm
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Native To
Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Evergreen
No
