Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Blue White | Green Grey Silver | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Blue White | Green Grey Silver | ||
Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Madeira
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in a loam-based potting compost (John Innes Number 3) 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 at 13-16°C (55-61°F) in summer, overwintering seedlings at 5-7°C (41-45°F)
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
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
Get involved
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.