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AGM plants have been through a rigorous trial and assessment programme. They are:
This plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects.
It is included in an evolving list of plants carefully researched and chosen by RHS experts. Divided into 3 groups these lists, linked below, are maintained by a team of RHS staff and are reviewed annually.
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Other common names giant viper's bugloss tower of jewels
Synonyms Echium pinnifolium
Family Boraginaceae
Genus Echium can be annuals, biennials, evergreen perennials or shrubs, with simple, coarsely hairy leaves and funnel-shaped flowers borne in panicles or dense spikes in summer
Details E. pininana is a rosette-forming biennial or short-lived perennial with lance-shaped, roughly silver-hairy leaves to 7cm long. Each rosette produces a flower panicle up to 4m long of funnel-shaped blue flowers with large bracts in mid and late summer
Plant range Canary Is
Foliage Evergreen
Habit Columnar/Upright
Toxicity All parts may cause stomach upset if ingested, contact with the foliage may irritate skin
Hardiness
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H3
Full Sun
Aspect South-facing or West-facing
Exposure Sheltered
Chalk
Loam
Sand
MoistureWell-drained
SoilChalk, Loam, Sand
pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Ultimate height 2.5-4 metres
Ultimate spread 0.5-1 metres
Time to ultimate height 1-2 years
Cultivation Under glass, grow in a loam-based potting compost (JI No3) in full light. Water freely when in growth, sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from winter frost in situ with horticultural fleece
Propagation Propagate by seed sown at 13-16?C in summer, overwintering seedlings at 5-7?C
Suggested planting locations and garden types Flower borders and beds Wall-side Borders City & Courtyard Gardens Cottage & Informal Garden Coastal
Pruning No pruning required
Pests Outdoors slugs may be a problem; indoors glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite can be troublesome; vine weevils may also be found
Diseases Generally disease free
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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.