This type of thistle is not only attractive as a solitary plant and in groups, but can also be combined with numerous other plants. Which planting partners are particularly suitable for globe thistles?
Consider location and care requirements
If you combine plants indiscriminately, it is not uncommon for at least one of them to die sooner or later. What was often not considered in such cases: every plant has different requirements in terms of location, the amount of water and the frequency of fertilization. This means that a plant that likes it very dry cannot stand next to a species that needs a lot of water. Likewise, a shade plant cannot thrive in full sun and vice versa.
So when choosing planting partners for globe thistles, you should consider these factors. What conditions does this plant species place on its environment?
- Location
The globe thistle is a true sun worshiper. A location in full sun is ideal for them. However, if you can only provide a partially shaded spot, that is still acceptable. However, shady places are not suitable.
- Boden
A poor soil is completely sufficient for the plant and is even preferred by it. However, if it has to share the space with a nutrient-loving plant, that's not a problem either.
Furthermore, the location must be dry, because itselflonger periods of heatsurvives it without any problem. Whether sandy, rocky or loamy – hardly anything can harm the thistle. However, with higher humidity the stem becomes less stable and the plant may need to be supported.
The soil should also be as permeable as possible, otherwise the roots will rot.
- Fertilize
From the above, one can quickly conclude that fertilizing the globe thistle is unnecessary. However, if this is necessary due to surrounding plants, that's okay.
- irrigation
In general, you can leave the globe thistle to its own devices, just as is the case in the wild. If it's dry for a long time, it won't bother her. It can easily hold out until the next rain.
Which flowers are suitable as planting partners for globe thistles?
In summary, from the above-mentioned properties it can be concluded that the plants for combining should have the following properties:
- You shouldthrive in the suncan. If the globe thistle is in partial shade, plants can also be chosen for this location.
- Ideally, planting partners for globe thistles like it dry to moderately moist. If you want a garden that is particularly easy to care for, choose species that, like thistle, last a long time even without watering.
- Flowers that like it lean and require little to no fertilizer are ideal.
- Summer bloomers so they all bloom together, or species with complementary bloom times.
Since the thistles are very adaptable, you may want to focus on the proper care of the planting partners.
Combine with these plants
The spherical flower shapes can be easily combined with other flower shapes, but you can also play with the colors. Create a colorful mix of colors or keep it monochrome with similar flower colors. It's not just flowering specimens that suit thistle. Grasses, especially as a background, also highlight the bright thistle flowers.
Would you like planting partners that bloom at the same time? When do globe thistles bloom?The glowing balls, which can be both purple and white, appear from July and stay until September.
- Columbine meadow rue (Thalictrum aquilegifolium)
- Atlasschwingel (Fescue fescue)
- renewal (Barberry)
- Blauraute (Salvia yangii)
- blue fescue (Fescue glauca)
- Pale coneflower (Pale Echinacea)
- feather grass (Stipe)
- sheaf of gold (Achillea filipendulina)
- Tall gypsophila (Gypsophila paniculata)
- Hydrangeas (Hydrangea) and specifically the viburnum hydrangea
- Indian nettle (Monarda)
- Candelabra Honor Award (Veronica)
- Candle knotweed (Persicaria embracexicaulis)
- Mullein (Spanish)
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Mannstreu (Eryngium)
- prairie candle (Gaura lindheimeri)
- Giant feather grass (Stipa gigantea)
- Rose (Rosa)
- Rosen-Malve (Malva alcea)
- Rosemary (Rosemary officinalis)
- yarrow (Yarrow)
- milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
- Buddleia (Buddleja davidii)
- Sommer-Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
- Sun Bride (Helenium)
- Coneflower (Echinacea)
- Steinkendel (Calamintha)
- Steppe sage (Sage wood)
- Waldrebe (Clematis)
- Wildrose (Rosa sweginzowii)
- Wollziest (Stachys byzantina)
- quaking grass (The media breeze)
Planting time, planting distance and propagation
Globe thistles are perennials. The above-ground parts of the plants die off in the winter, whereupon they sprout again in the spring. Thedry inflorescencesBut they are also an interesting eye-catcher in the bed during the cold season, so you don't necessarily have to cut them off.
Important:Globe thistles do not survive the winter outdoors if they are grown in a container.
become perennialsplanted in autumn. The dry periods are now over, so you don't have to worry too much about whether the newly planted beauty is getting enough water, which is important for growing. This also gives the perennial plenty of time to develop strong roots before the cold winter.
No matter whether as a solitary plant or in combination with other flowers and grasses, so that the globe thistle can develop freely, it also needs enough space. You should give each plant a radius of about 70 cm or no more than 2 specimens per square meter if you only plant the thistles in this area.
Cover photo: Alex Manders/Shutterstock
