Skip to content

Globe Thistle

Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus

Design with this plant

Overview

The Globe Thistle, Echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus', is a robust perennial producing striking, spherical, metallic blue flower heads atop silvery, thistle-like foliage. Mature plants reach up to 3-4 feet high and spread 2-3 feet wide. Drought-resistant and preferring full sun, it thrives in USDA zones 3-8. Its blooms make excellent cut flowers or dried arrangements. Blooming from mid to late summer, it attracts pollinators while being deer resistant. Ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens.

Sun FullWater LowZones 4–8Climate Temperate
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — is a robust perennial producing striking

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Low
USDA zones
4–8

Shape & size

Mature height
2–3 Ft.
Mature width
1–2 Ft.

Classification

Family
Polemoniaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (172)

Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Mature plants reach up to 3-4 feet high and spread 2-3 feet wide; starkly contrasting blooms from, image 149
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Drought-resistant and preferring full sun, it thrives in USDA zones 3-8; metallic blue flower heads, image 150
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — annual / wildflower for full; adding a touch of drama and allure to their outdoor canvas, image 145
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — metallic blue flower heads atop silvery; demonstrating a robust tolerance to drought conditions once, image 148
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus'; mature plants reach up to 3-4 feet high and spread 2-3 feet wide, image 146
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — is a robust perennial producing striking; this hardy species boasts striking spherical flower heads, image 147
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — this hardy species boasts striking spherical flower heads; but also for its resilience, image 156
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — or Echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus'; is a robust perennial producing striking, image 154
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — with a vivid metallic blue hue; deadheading spent flowers can encourage a second bloom and prevent, image 157
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Its blooms make excellent cut flowers or dried arrangements; hailing from the Asteraceae family, image 151
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Blooming from mid to late summer, it attracts pollinators while being deer resistant; it thrives in, image 152
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Hailing from the Asteraceae family; or Echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus', image 155
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — Ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens; clients will enjoy its ornamental charms, image 153
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — each globe typically measuring about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter; echinops ritro 'Ruthenicus', image 158
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — These blossoms rest atop stiff; ideal for xeriscapes and gravel gardens, image 159
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — deeply lobed foliage that stretches on stems rising to a stately height of 2 to 3 feet, image 160
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — but also for its resilience; enhancing the ecological value of the landscape, image 161
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8; annual / wildflower for full, image 162
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — demonstrating a robust tolerance to drought conditions once established; blooming from mid to late, image 163
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — and is best situated in full sun exposers; these blossoms rest atop stiff, image 164
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — its unique blossoms are magnets for pollinators; such as bees and butterflies, image 165
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — such as bees and butterflies; annual / wildflower with blue blooms, image 166
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — clients will enjoy its ornamental charms; its unique blossoms are magnets for pollinators, image 169
Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus) — adding a touch of drama and allure to their outdoor canvas; drought-resistant and preferring full sun, image 171

Related plants