Echinops ritro

Echinops ritro is a robust, upright perennial reaching 0.5-1 metre in height, featuring jagged, prickly dark green leaves with a whitish underside. It produces rounded, violet-blue flower heads on silvery stems during summer. This plant thrives in poor, well-drained soil with full sun exposure, although it can tolerate partial shade. It is generally disease and pest-free, but may be susceptible to aphids. Propagation can occur through seed, division, or root cuttings.