Wait until your echinops plant is at least 3 years old before attempting to divide it. Around this time, it should have started sprouting small plantlets at the base of the original specimen. Divide away these smaller plants by taking a sharp spade and cutting into the soil to grab the deep taproot.
Full Answer
Can you divide Echinops?
Dividing / Transplanting: The large taproot makes it difficult to divide or transplant a mature Echinops plant successfully. Sometimes, new seedlings grow in a clump around the base of the parent plant after germination.
How to grow Echinops plants?
Although Echinops are perennials it is best to plant new globe thistles every four years or so to maintain the appearance of the plants. If you require more Echinops then take cuttings from the root in the spring, or divide he plant in the autumn. I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Echinops plants.
Can you take cuttings from Echinops?
Echinops will self-seed freely and you can collect seed in autumn. Alternatively you can divide plants in autumn or spring, or take root cuttings when dormant. Follow our step-by-step guide to taking root cuttings.
How do you get rid of Echinops?
Cut back to the ground in autumn. Plants last for about three years before losing vigour. Propagate Echinops: in spring by taking root cuttings or by dividing in autumn in warmer areas. Miscellaneous: Invasive weed in many parts of Northern America.
How do you divide a globe thistle?
Divide the basal growth away in spring from plants that are at least 3 years old. You may also take 2- to 3-inch (5-7.5 cm.) root cuttings in spring to start new plants. Plant basal or root cuttings in loosened soil that is moderately acidic for best results.
Can you take cuttings from Echinops?
How to propagate Echinops. It is possible to propagate Echinops by seed sown in mid spring, by division in spring and autumn or by root cuttings during winter.
When can I transplant globe thistle?
Globe thistle can be propagated by division for transplanting in another section of the garden or gifting. Wait until the plant is at least three years old, at which time you should be able to see new plantlets at its base.
Can I Chelsea chop Echinops?
Echinops 'Veitch's Blue' and Veronicastrum virginicum 'Lavendelturm' are happy to stand stoutly while retaining their grace. You can also initiate a pruning regime in late May called the 'Chelsea chop' (too late unless you are 'Up North') and this can be applied to late bloomers with a tendency to lean.
Where should I root my cuttings?
Not all cutting that will root in water have root nodes, but most of them do so find the root node on your plant. Carefully cut just below the node with a clean sharp knife or scissors. About 1/4″ below the node. Place the cutting in a clean glass.
When should I take root cuttings?
Root cuttings are best taken in mid-to-late autumn or early winter when plants are dormant.
Can Echinops be transplanted?
New growth will emerge when the temperature stays warm enough to break its dormancy. Dividing / Transplanting: The large taproot makes it difficult to divide or transplant a mature EchinopsEchinopsEchinops /ˈɛkɪnɒps/ is a genus of about 120 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, commonly known as globe thistles. They have spiny foliage and produce blue or white spherical flower heads. They are native to Europe, east to central Asia, and south to the mountains of tropical Africa.https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › EchinopsEchinops - Wikipedia plant successfully. Sometimes, new seedlings grow in a clump around the base of the parent plant after germination.
Should I cut back Echinops?
Pruning Echinops plants The globe thistle is tolerant to pruning, so you can be safe in the knowledge that your shears will not to the plant any harm. Pruning may also be necessary, for example, if flower heads snap off after a storm.
Will Echinops grow in shade?
It is tall, at 1.2m, and will grow in sun or part-shade, in clay or gravel, and won't topple over. The flowers are a stately grey-blue; it makes rather a good statement plant.
When should you do the Chelsea chop?
During late spring, you can experiment with the 'Chelsea chop', cutting back your perennials to improve their flowering performance. This pruning method is carried out in late May, around the time of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and can be done on a wide range of perennials, including phlox, penstemons and sedums.
Does Echinops flower first year?
EchinopsEchinopsEchinops /ˈɛkɪnɒps/ is a genus of about 120 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, commonly known as globe thistles. They have spiny foliage and produce blue or white spherical flower heads. They are native to Europe, east to central Asia, and south to the mountains of tropical Africa.https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › EchinopsEchinops - Wikipedia are perennials…you may get a few flowers in the first year but you may not…but after the first season you will have an abundance of the beasties year in year out.
Which plants should get the Chelsea chop?
Robust, mid to late summer-flowering perennials benefit from the Chelsea chop the most, so try it on perennials like Phlox paniculata, heleniums, astersastersastere f (5th declension) aster (several decorative plants of the family Asteraceae, genus Aster or Callistephus, with variously colored flowers) Ķīnas astere China aster (Callistephus chinensis)https://en.wiktionary.org › wiki › astereastere - Wiktionary, echinacea, solidago (golden rod), perennial sunflowers like Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' and achillea. You can also try it with autumn-flowering sedums.
What to do with Echinops after flowering?
EchinopsEchinopsEchinops /ˈɛkɪnɒps/ is a genus of about 120 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, commonly known as globe thistles. They have spiny foliage and produce blue or white spherical flower heads. They are native to Europe, east to central Asia, and south to the mountains of tropical Africa.https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › EchinopsEchinops - Wikipedia don't need any special treatment other than cutting back after flowering. Sometimes, this can encourage a second flush of blooms. You may need to stake taller varieties, but only if your garden is a little more exposed and windy. If clumps become congested, lift and divide them in autumn or spring.
Does Echinops flower first year?
EchinopsEchinopsEchinops /ˈɛkɪnɒps/ is a genus of about 120 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, commonly known as globe thistles. They have spiny foliage and produce blue or white spherical flower heads. They are native to Europe, east to central Asia, and south to the mountains of tropical Africa.https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › EchinopsEchinops - Wikipedia are perennials…you may get a few flowers in the first year but you may not…but after the first season you will have an abundance of the beasties year in year out.
How hardy is Echinops?
Echinops plants are very hardy. They are drought-tolerant and can tolerate summer heat, even in full sun locations. Echinops grow very well upright and sturdy in loose, relatively humus rich and dry soil.
Will Echinops grow in shade?
It is tall, at 1.2m, and will grow in sun or part-shade, in clay or gravel, and won't topple over. The flowers are a stately grey-blue; it makes rather a good statement plant.
Where to grow echinops
Echinops originate from the Mediterranean region, so for best results grow in free-draining soil in full sun.
Planting echinops
You can sow echinops seed in spring, either in situ or in modules, or if you buy as small plant, dig a generous hole, larger than the pot and add a handful of grit to boost drainage. Follow our step by step guide to planting perennials.
Propagating echinops
Echinops will self-seed freely and you can collect seed in autumn. Alternatively you can divide plants in autumn or spring, or take root cuttings when dormant. Follow our step-by-step guide to taking root cuttings. Some echinops can be propagated by division in spring and autumn. Watch Sarah Raven demonstrate how to divide herbaceous perennials.
Echinops: problem solving
Echinops can be prone to attracting aphids, but have no known diseases.
Caring for echinops
Echinops don’t need any special treatment other than cutting back after flowering. Sometimes, this can encourage a second flush of blooms. You may need to stake taller varieties, but only if your garden is a little more exposed and windy. If clumps become congested, lift and divide them in autumn or spring.
How to Grow Globe Thistle ( Echinops)
When growing Globe thistle outdoors it is best just to cover the seeds once sown after the last frost of spring. They can be grown in either a sunny or lightly shaded area of the garden, and prefer a soil of pH 5.5 to 7.
Caring for Globe thistle and other Echinops
Globe thistles are relatively easy to look after; they require watering during prolonged dry periods and should be cut back to the ground in the autumn. Due to their height they may require stakes.
Echinops: origin, characteristics and flowering time
All globe thistle varieties ( Echinops sp.) belong to the daisy family (Asteraceae). As the name suggests, globe thistles are related to the other thistles, such as the medicinal milk thistle ( Silybum marianum) or the prickly creeping thistle ( Cirsium arvense ). From this diverse species, four are commonly found in gardens.
Different Echinops varieties
The globe thistle comes in different types and varieties; they differ mainly in flower colour and growth height.
How to plant Echinops
Globe thistles are low-maintenance and undemanding plants. They are, in short, perfect for any garden and perennial lover. Find out below which locations these unique thistles prefer and when it is best to plant them.
Echinops care
Globe thistles are extremely easy to care for and are hardly ever affected by pests or diseases if planted in the right location. Aphids may occasionally appear on the plants, but these only rarely become a nuisance. Root rot can occur if the soil is too moist.
How to propagate Echinops
The easiest way to propagate the globe thistle is by division. In spring, simply cut off part of the plant at the base with a sharp spade and bury it in another spot. With this method, the plant grows easily because there is already a lot of root mass.
Are Echinops plants poisonous?
Globe thistles are not poisonous, but an extraordinary ornament for every perennial garden. Insects love to visit the flowers and birds eat the rich thistle seeds in autumn.
What is Globe Thistle?
Globe thistle ( Echinops ritro) is in the Aster family. The large spiky flowers appear in early summer and last up to 8 weeks. They are perennials, so the plants will make long-lasting garden companions with hardy habits and minimal globe thistle care.
How to Grow Globe Thistle
Growing globe thistle from collected seeds is imprecise, but purchased cultivated seed has a better seedling rate. The plants also often self-seed. Growing globe thistle from clump division is the fastest way to get flowers. Divide the basal growth away in spring from plants that are at least 3 years old.
Globe Thistle Care
These perennials are one of the easiest plants to maintain. They tolerate drought conditions once established and have few pest or disease problems.
