How to Grow Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro)

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Globe thistle has prickly-looking balls of steel blue flowers on plants that grow up to 4 feet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Choosing Globe Thistle

Step1
Look for plants at nurseries in spring and summer, and into fall in warmer climates.
Step2
Buy globe thistle in 6-inch to 1-gallon containers.
Step3
Choose healthy-looking plants with signs of new growth in leaves and flower buds.

Planting Globe Thistle

Step1
Plant globe thistle in full sun in well-drained soil.
Step2
Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.
Step3
Place the plants no deeper than the depth of the containers they were growing in.
Step4
Set the plants 1 foot apart.
Step5
Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.
Step6
Water well until soil is completely moist.

Caring for Globe Thistle

Step1
Cut off any remaining stems from the previous year in early spring using bypass pruners.
Step2
Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.
Step3
Cut off old flower stems in summer using bypass pruners for a second bloom in mild climates.

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eHow Article: How to Grow Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro)

eHow Home & Garden Editor

eHow Home & Garden Editor

Category: Home & Garden

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