Echinops Ritro Seeds (Globe Thistle)

Echinops ritro is the globe thistle that proves even the spikiest personalities can be totally soft in a bouquet. With its perfectly spherical, metallic-blue blooms, like tiny botanical planets orbiting on sturdy stems, this perennial is equal parts cosmic and classic. No wonder florists adore it both fresh and dried: it adds instant texture, structure, and a cool-toned “pop” that makes every arrangement look out of this world.

But don’t let its space-age style fool you, Echinops ritro is a garden workhorse. Standing 2–4 feet tall, it thrives in full sun, well-drained soil, and those “sorry, I forgot to water” moments thanks to its drought tolerance. Deer tend to pass it by (respecting the spikes), while bees and butterflies make a beeline for its mid-summer-to-fall bloom show.

Its Greek name literally means “hedgehog appearance,” and one look at those prickly blue spheres will tell you why. The deeply cut, silvery gray-green foliage adds drama, while the rigid stems keep those 1-2" orbs perfectly perched for snipping. Just handle with care as this beauty has boundaries.

Whether anchoring a cottage garden, adding architecture to a border, or starring in bouquets and dried arrangements, Globe Thistle is the plant that proves sometimes the coolest flowers are the ones that stick around.

Scientific Name: Echinops bannaticus

Height: 24 - 48"

What you're purchasing: Packet of at least 50 seeds

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Germination tested