Echinops (Globe Thistle) in Zone 7a & 7b
Echinops ritro
Yes, echinops (globe thistle) grows in zones 7a and 7b. Start seeds indoors Feb 20–Feb 27 and plant out Apr 17–Apr 24.
When to plant echinops (globe thistle) in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Feb 20–Feb 27 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 17–Apr 24 |
| Estimated bloom | About a year after planting |
Spacing: about 2 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2.5-4 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 7b
These go outside within two weeks of echinops (globe thistle) in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumApr 17–Apr 24
- MarigoldApr 17–Apr 24
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Apr 17–Apr 24
- AmaryllisApr 17–Apr 24
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Apr 17–Apr 24
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Apr 17–Apr 24
Echinops, or globe thistle, is a perennial thistle relative grown for its perfectly round, metallic-blue flower globes, a shape that reads as almost artificial and holds up beautifully as a dried flower.
How echinops (globe thistle) fits zone 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. Echinops (globe thistle) takes about a year from planting to first bloom, so it spans more than one growing season.
Echinops (Globe Thistle) planting windows in every zone
Zone 7b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Apr 11–Apr 18 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | About a year after planting |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 22–May 29 | About a year after planting |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 22–Mar 29 | May 17–May 24 | About a year after planting |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 7–Mar 14 | May 2–May 9 | About a year after planting |
| 7a & 7b (your zone) | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | About a year after planting |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | About a year after planting |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | About a year after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for echinops (globe thistle).
Where to buy echinops seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries echinops seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing echinops (globe thistle)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 7b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Echinops (Globe Thistle) in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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