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Annual Biennial

Echium wildpretii

tower of jewels

An erect, unbranched biennial to 2m tall, with narrow, silvery-hairy leaves and a tall narrow panicle of small red flowers in early summer

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Red Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Boraginaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
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
Canary Islands

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost 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

May be susceptible to slugs or glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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