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A mature Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro) growing in a residential garden bedFoliage

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Globe Thistle

Echinops ritro

Globe Thistle is a medium-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 3-8, that matures to about 3-4 ft × 2-2.5 ft. It does best in full sun with low water needs in well-drained and occasionally-dry soil. Expect blue blooms in summer and fall. It attracts butterflies and pollinators, stands up well to deer, drought and dry soil.

USDA zones
3-8
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Mature size
3-4 ft × 2-2.5 ft
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Occasionally-dry
Bloom color
Blue
Bloom season
Summer, Fall
Attracts
Butterflies, Pollinators
Tough against
Deer, Drought, Dry soil, Poor soil, Rabbits
Native to
Central and eastern Europe, Asia

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score Globe Thistle’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

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