28 GARDEN GATE | OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 149
STATEMENT PLANTS
GOOD TO KNOW
Cut the blooms just before they are fully
expanded and hang them upside down
to dry. Globe thistle holds its color and
shape as a dried flower.Globe thistle
Echinops ritro
Sturdy and statuesque, globe thistle
throws spheres of spiky steel-blue or
white blooms into the air like a talented
juggler. Their green stems disappear
into the background, leaving only the
colorful spheres to hover above other
garden fl owers. Though it is not an
actual thistle, its thistlelike foliage looks
harsh, but is less prickly than it might
visually imply. Use globe thistle to give
sharp texture in the back of the border
of an otherwise soft garden.
Deer- and drought-resistant, this iron-
tough plant appeals to many pollinators.
When fl owers fade, deadhead them on
the stem to keep seeds from spreading,
then as bloom stalks fi nish, cut the stem
down to the ground to encourage more
fl owers to form. Leave foliage standing
in fall then cut it off in spring to give
the crown extra protection and prevent
dieback in winter.Tender perennial Blooms: White or blue
flowers midsummer to fall Light: Full sun
Soil: Dry, well-drained, even salty or lean soils
Size: 24 to 36 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide Cold
hardy: USDA zones 3 to 8 Source: Local
garden centers‘Veitch’s Blue’GG14922_29_Top Picks.indd 28GG14922_29_Top Picks.indd 28 6/26/2019 10:07:12 AM6/26/2019 10:07:12 AM28 GARDEN GATE | OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 149
STATEMENT PLANTS
GOOD TO KNOW
Cut the blooms just before they are fully
expanded and hang them upside down
to dry. Globe thistle holds its color and
shape as a dried flower.Globe thistle
Echinops ritro
Sturdy and statuesque, globe thistle
throws spheres of spiky steel-blue or
white blooms into the air like a talented
juggler. Their green stems disappear
into the background, leaving only the
colorful spheres to hover above other
garden fl owers. Though it is not an
actual thistle, its thistlelike foliage looks
harsh, but is less prickly than it might
visually imply. Use globe thistle to give
sharp texture in the back of the border
of an otherwise soft garden.
Deer- and drought-resistant, this iron-
tough plant appeals to many pollinators.
When fl owers fade, deadhead them on
the stem to keep seeds from spreading,
then as bloom stalks fi nish, cut the stem
down to the ground to encourage more
fl owers to form. Leave foliage standing
in fall then cut it off in spring to give
the crown extra protection and prevent
dieback in winter.Tender perennial Blooms: White or blue
flowers midsummer to fall Light: Full sun
Soil: Dry, well-drained, even salty or lean soils
Size: 24 to 36 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide Cold
hardy: USDA zones 3 to 8 Source: Local
garden centers‘Veitch’s Blue’