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Summary

Bloom Color: Blue. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Irregular or sprawling, Upright or erect.

Physical Characteristics

Echinops ritro is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiinflammatory Galactogogue

The root is anti-inflammatory and galactogogue[176]. It is used in the treatment of breast abscesses with inflammation, mastitis, lack of milk in nursing mothers and distension of the breast[176].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Seashore, Specimen. Succeeds in a sunny position in any well drained soil of low or medium fertility[200]. Established plants are drought tolerant[190]. There are a number of named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[200]. The flowers are often used for dried flower displays[200]. If all the flowers are removed early in the season, the plant will often produce a second flush of bloom later in the summer[200]. Special Features: Naturalizing, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers, Extended bloom season in Zones 9A and above, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame[111]. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 9 weeks at 25°c[175]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown in an outdoor seedbed in mid spring and is then planted out into its permanent position in late summer or the autumn[111]. Division in autumn[111]. Root cuttings in the winter[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal
Echinops latifolius		Perennial	0.5	3-7	LMH	N	DM	0	1
Echinops setifer	Globe Thistle	Perennial	1.0	-	LMH	SN	DM	1	2
Echinops spinosissimus		Perennial	0.8	6-9	LMH	N	DM	1	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Echinops ritro - L.