10/02/2026
I've just started cleaning White Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro) seeds from my garden.
The process is not the easiest, it's not like you open a seed head and multiple seeds come out.
With Globe Thistle, you need to wait until a seed head is fully mature (I usually wait until it starts falling naturally) first.
There's tiny cotton like dust while cleaning the seeds, which sometimes irritates (more like itchy feel) my skin so I wear gloves to clean them.
Then a seed is wrapped in a spikey floret so I need to open one by one to get it out, although now I know if there's a mature seed in or not by looking or feeling most of the time.
I said this many times but I love the process of seed cleaning even though it's quite a lot of work.
You need to know the timing, then cleaning requires concentration and patience.
Then counting is sometimes eye straining work.
It's labour of love, really, so if you feel the seed prices are too high, this is why.
Especially a small seed seller like me, we do most of the work by hand, not with fancy machines.
But I do cherish the time, it's like talking with the plant by seeing how the seeds are stored, then touching the seeds.
I feel like I can get to know the plant more by cleaning the seeds.
Sometimes it even feels like meditation or therapy.
Anyway, if you want something low maintenance perennials, try Globe Thistle, once established, it's really easy to care, drought tolerant, not fussy about soil (even prefers poor soil rather than nutrient rich soil), either.
A wonderful pollinator plant and nice architectural plant.
And of course, very photogenic!
Since I started cleaning this year's seeds, the last year's seeds are now available as a bulk option.
Get them now and sow as Winter Sowing this fall or winter!
You can find the seeds (both Blue and White even though only the White one is available as a bulk)
https://www.hanaearthgardens.ca/shop/echinops-globe-thistle/228
Also, it's time to order bulbs!
Order here
https://www.hanaearthgardens.ca/bulb-sale-2026-fall
*Please note I can't give you advice individually here, if you need more help, please consider purchasing my garden coaching service