Echium vulgare
viper's bugloss
A bushy, erect biennial to 90cm tall, with lance-shaped, bristly-hairy leaves, and dense cylindrical spikes of bell-shaped violet-blue flowers in early summer
Other common names
adderwortblue devil
see moreblue thistle
blueweed
bugloss
cat's tail
North American blueweed
snake flower
viper's grass
viper's herb
tafod y bwch
Synonyms
Echium wierzbickiiSize
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Blue | Green | ||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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
- Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Suitable for annual border or wildlife garden
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs or glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite under glass
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.