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Position

Sun exposure:
Full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing

Soil

Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

The spiky leaves and bristly metallic blue flowers of globe thistles Echinops ritro, make them a great architectural choice for the back of a sunny border. The spiny, cobwebbed leaves provide interest from spring until the blooms appear in late summer. Echinops ritro associates well with other tall striking late summer plants such as cardoon and echinacea or tall miscanthus grasses in an island bed.

Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue' is a particularly attractive globe thistle, bearing tight globes of deep blue flowers. It's extremely attractive to bees, butterflies and other insects, and makes an excellent cut flower. For best results grow Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue' in free-draining soil in full sun to partial shade. Cut plants down after flowering to encourage a second flush of blooms. If clumps become congested, lift and divide them in autumn or spring.

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Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyesyes
Plantyesyes
Flowersyesyes
Divideyesyes

Echinops ‘Veitch's blue’ and wildlife

Echinops ‘Veitch's blue’ is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Echinops ‘Veitch's blue’ poisonous?

Echinops ‘Veitch's blue’ has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
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