Where steel-blue flower balls sway in the summer wind, it is the undemanding echinops that act as striking eye-catchers. The perfectly round blossoms lend structure to the formal garden just as they fill the natural green area with life. The following answers to frequently asked questions clarify the last riddles about professional cultivation.
Plant globe thistle correctly
Echinops always produce their concise appearance when the few requirements are taken into account during planting. Choose a sun-drenched location where you create spacious planting pits in the rather lean, marginally moist soil at a distance of 60 to 90 cm. Fertilizers are not added here, since an excess of nutrients impairs stability. Repot the young plants to place them in the loose soil that reaches no further than the lower pair of leaves. It is advantageous to already use a support rod to globe thistle to protect against wind. A post-implemented support could damage the rhizome.
care tips
The uncomplicated care program does not pose any significant challenges for the experienced hobby gardener. We have summarized all fundamental measures for you below:
- Water Echinops cautiously to avoid waterlogging and rotting
- Limit the nutrient supply to the one-time start fertilization in spring
- Clean wilted flowers consistently to motivate the perennial to rebloom
- Cut back to just above the ground in autumn or spring
Winter protection is recommended in the first few years until the globe thistles have become well established. To do this, pile up the root disk with leaves and needle brushwood, which at the same time keeps winter moisture away from the rhizome.
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Which location is suitable?
Echinops show floral presence in the garden wherever it is sunny, dry and warm. The more wind-protected the location, the safer the stability. Her bushy silhouette always gains charisma when the earth is in good shape garden floor is equivalent to.
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The right planting distance
The floral power of a globe thistle depends not least on an adequate planting distance. The individual specimens should be arranged neither closely together nor spread out over a wide area. Compact varieties with a height of 50-80 cm should ideally be placed at a distance of 60 cm, while the larger Echinops with a height of 80-100 cm should be placed at a distance of 70 cm. The giants within the genus arrange you at a distance of 90 cm from the neighbor.
What soil does the plant need?
While Echinops do not compromise on their need for a sunny and warm location, they are tolerant of soil conditions. As long as the soil is largely equal to normal garden soil, the strong rhizomes will spread diligently.
What is the best planting time?
Spring planting makes sense for Echinops, as the perennials only develop their full winter hardiness over the years. The time window for planting opens from the middle/end of April as soon as the ground has completely thawed and no more ground frosts are to be expected.
When is flowering time?
Its botanical name Echinops is composed of "echinus" for hedgehog and "opsis" for appearance, since from a distance the flower balls of a globe thistle actually resemble a curled-up hedgehog. The flowering period extends from July to September, with the small tubular flowers gradually opening from bottom to top along the up to 6 cm ball. If you consistently cut off withered flower heads, this measure promotes the abundance of flowers and has the effect of prolonging the flowering period.
Cut globe thistle properly
If you regularly cut out everything that has faded and withered, the globe thistle will keep its well-groomed appearance. At the same time, you'll lure out more buds for a never-ending flowering season. Environmentally conscious gardeners only cut the perennial back to the ground in spring so that the drawn-in parts of the plant serve as a retreat for overwintering insects.
Pour globe thistle
Despite their pronounced hunger for sun, echinops rarely require additional watering. Under normal weather conditions, the magnificent globe thistles are quite satisfied with the amount of rain. If the perennial is too wet, it reacts with root rot. Therefore, only water when it is dry in summer.
Fertilize globe thistle properly
Echinops favor organic start-up fertilization in spring. more nitrogenous complete fertilizer is less suitable as it promotes leaf growth, so that the flower balls fall behind. Guano granules or compost are much better for the perennials, optimized with a handful rock flour. You can leave it at this one-off dose of fertilizer.
pests
Fortunately, snails give Echinops a wide berth. However, this circumstance does not mean the all-clear with regard to pests, because aphids are not deterred by the prickly appearing flower balls. As soon as you discover the pests on and under the leaves, the classic soft soap solution is used. Add 1 tablespoon each of pure liquid soap and spirit to 1 liter of water. This mix is sprayed onto the besieged globe thistle every 2-3 days until the pests flee.
hibernate
As a precaution, the largely hardy perennials are given light protection in the first few years. Cover the planting site with leaves, compost or needle brushwood. In the best case, leave the remaining parts of the plant as a natural winter coat over the rhizome until spring.
Propagating globe thistle
Echinops can be propagated in various ways that place different demands on your gardening experience. The following 3 methods have proven themselves in the hobby garden:
- Division of the rootstock in spring
- Removal of root cuttings in March to root them in the pot
- sowing of seeds behind glass from February
The greatest challenge to your gardening skills and patience is sowing. The seeds are cold germs that have to undergo stratification in order to be able to germinate. You can look forward to the first spherical flowers after 3 to 4 years.
How do I plant correctly?
With globe thistles, very long-lived perennials, which prefer to remain undisturbed, move into your green kingdom. After 10 to 15 years, it is still time to rejuvenate Echinops through a transplant campaign. Dig up the rootstock in March/April or August/September. Then split the rhizome into two or more pieces, each with at least 2 buds. Now is a good time to remove rotten and stunted root strands and cut off aging areas. Then plant the processed rhizome segments in such a way that the previous planting depth is retained.
Beautiful varieties
- Blue Globe: Mighty globe thistle whose blue flowers do not unfold until August; Growth height 100-150 cm
- Veitch's Blue: Abundantly flowering and compact Echinops with steel blue flowers from July to September; Growth height 50-80 cm
- Arctic Glow: A large-flowered variety whose pure white flower spheres thrive above silvery-green foliage; Growth height 80-100 cm
- Taplow Blue: The hybrid captivates with flower balls in an intense blue until autumn; Growth height 100-120 cm
