Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue'
Veitch's Blue Globe Thistle
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Height
- 35 to 40 inches
- Width
- 18 to 24 inches
- Flower color
- Dark lavender-blue, globe-shaped
- Foliage color
- Dark green above, downy white beneath
- Bloom time
- Mid-summer to early fall
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low; drought-tolerant at maturity
- Maintenance
- Low; cutting back after flowering can encourage a second bloom
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and butterflies; deer and rabbit resistant
About this plant
Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue' is a clump-forming perennial celebrated for its unique, spherical flower heads. Each bloom, resembling a golf ball, showcases a deep lavender-blue hue and measures approximately 1 to 2 inches in diameter. These distinctive flowers emerge atop stiff, silvery stems during the summer months, adding architectural interest to garden landscapes.
The foliage of 'Veitch's Blue' consists of deeply lobed, dark green leaves with a spiny texture, creating a bold contrast against the vibrant blooms. The undersides of the leaves are covered in a downy white layer, adding to the plant's visual appeal. This cultivar is known for its durability and low maintenance requirements, making it suitable for various garden settings. Additionally, 'Veitch's Blue' is favored in cut flower arrangements and dried floral displays due to its unique form and lasting color.
Works well in
Borders · Sun Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Waterwise Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Asters · Catmint · Coreopsis · Bearded irises · Bee balm · Yarrow
Design tip
Fall bloom is its strength, and it earns a place near a path or seating area used late in the year. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.
