How To Grow Blue Globe Thistle?

Blue globe thistles are a truly spectacular plant – unlike their prickly cousins they have the most beautiful flowers! If you have been wondering how to grow blue globe thistle then fear not – we have got you covered with just about everything you need to know.

How To Grow Blue Globe Thistle

These plants, like their more familiar purple cousins, are really easy to grow and super easy to maintain. Let’s look into how to grow them:

• First, decide if you are going to grow from seed or use cuttings. These plants grow best from the divided root ball, but seeding also works very well.
• If you are growing from seed, simply sprinkle them over a prepared bed with not large clumps of soil or weeds.
• Press the seeds in gently, and water well until the seedlings are well established.
• If growing from cuttings or division, take sections from a plant that is at least 3 years old, and grow on carefully as you would any cutting.
• These plants like a slightly acidic soil, so it is wise to do a pH test to make sure your soil is suitable.
• Give them a full sun position as this is where they will be happiest and best able to grow well to their full potential.
• Partial shade is also suitable for these plants, but they need a lot of light in general, so find them a sunny spot!
• Ensure the soil is well draining – and don’t worry if it is not very nutrient rich, as globe thistles don’t mind a lack of nutrients.
• Water sparingly – when the plant is becoming established it will need more, but once it is firmly rooted and growing it will not like too much to drink.
• You may need to stake the heavy blooms as the thistle becomes established – the heads can be large and heavy and may need a little extra support.
• Watch out for aphids munching on your prizes stems; remove any you see and consider using an organic pesticide if you get an infestation.

These pretty plants are surprisingly easy to grow, so you shouldn’t have any problems – enjoy the gorgeous blue colour dotted around your garden!

This article is packed with information on how to grow globe thistle.

How Do You Start Blue Globe Thistle?

Starting off plants can be a bit of a nerve wracking time – have you done it right? Will they ever grow?

Luckily, globe thistle is not one of the really tricky ones out there, and you should (as long as you get the conditions right) be rewarded pretty soon after planting.

1. Start the seeds off in small pots filled with compost (you can buy specific compost for seedlings if you want to give them an even better chance).
2. Ensure the compost is moist – it doesn’t need to be sopping wet, but giving it a daily misting with a spray bottle is a good idea.
3. Place 2-3 seeds spread out in the soil, press them down very gently.
4. Cover the seeds with a very thin layer of compost – globe thistle needs light in order to germinate effectively.
5. Mist the compost to settle it down over the seeds, and to give them an initial drink to help them on their way.
6. Place the pots in a warm room, as near to a bright window as possible so they get plenty of sunlight.
7. Once they have sprouted the seedlings will need potting on – transfer each to its own pot of compost, and keep them warm and well misted.
8. Once they are fully established, these plants are ready to be put out into the garden – make sure you wait until all danger of frost has passed and the weather is warming up.
9. You can also simply plant your globe thistle sees straight outside – make sure that the bed is clear of weeds and well raked to break up clumps of soil.
10. Scatter the seeds over the soil and gently press them just under the surface. Water them in well with a gentle spray of water, then wait!
11. You should see signs of life within 8-10 days. Thin out the seedlings so that they each have space to grow well, and continue to water them.
12. Once they are properly established and growing well, you can hold off on the watering, as these plants don’t like to get too soggy.

Do You Cut Back Blue Globe Thistle?

Because these are perennials, they won’t need “pruning” as such, but you should definitely get your shears out during the growing season.

Once the plant has finished its growing season, sometime towards the end of the autumn, you will notice it starting to die back naturally.

At this point, cut off the whole plant low to the ground, removing any stray leaves or runners as you do this.

Don’t worry, this certainly won’t kill it! The roots overwinter in the soil, and you will notice your thistle bouncing right back the following spring.

Any cuttings from the globe thistle’s flowering heads can be used in cut flower displays – they will add great texture to your arrangements.

Some people say that leaving the plant to wilt and die then leaving it to rot into the soil can help bring nutrients for next year’s growth – but there is the aesthetic value to consider.

It is best to completely remove it, add the trimmings to your compost pile, and look forward to seeing it pop back up in spring.

This video may make you cringe if you really love your globe thistle, but it’s a good example of how hard these guys can be cut back:

Do Globe Thistles Need Full Sun?

In short, the answer to this question is yes. These are sun loving plants that like to be kept warm and dry wherever possible.

Globe thistle originate from the Mediterranean areas, so they are used to hot, dry conditions; this is what will make them perform at their best.

They can still grow and thrive in partial shade, so don’t panic too much if you don’t have a completely full sun position for them.

Globe thistles will also cope with full sun for part of the day and less sun for the rest of it, so if you have a position in your garden that the sun hits for longer than others then go with this spot.

It is a little strange, when one learns that thistles can be more than irritating, spiky weeds that jab you when you walk around the garden!

Blue globe thistles are pretty, easy to grow and will make a striking addition to your garden – pretty much nothing could be better, right?

Blue Globe Thistles Key Facts

Name	Globe Thistle
Scientific Name	Echinops
Family	Asteraceae
Light Requirements	Full sun
Soil Requirements	Moist, well draining soil
Temperature Requirements	Hot dry conditions, temperatures between 65-75 degrees F
Water Requirements	Drought tolerant, prefers less water
Fertilizer Requirements	None required, prefers poor quality soil
Bloom Time	Spring to late summer
Pests	Butterflies, aphids, four-lined plant bug, Echinops leaf minor
Size	2-5 feet tall, 1-3 feet across