Echinops ritro Family: Asteraceae Common Name(s): Globe thistle Grown by: Kristin Yanker-Hansen, Danville Echinops are the small purple globes at about 12:00 and 2:00 in the back. Echinops- resembling a hedgehog or seaurchin. An allusion to the startingly metallic blue spiny globes. Ritro-local name An outstanding 2 ft tall midsummer border plant from E. Europe & W. Asia providing handsome architechural effect. Takes the heat and some drought. A glistening blue asterisk. .. Photo by Mike Dahlin