Echium Pininana

Echium Pininana

Echium Pininana. Giant Viper’s Bugloss.  This is a stunning plant for any sheltered border providing a tropical touch to the summer. In its first year, echium forms a low rosette of silver, hairy, spear-like leaves. The following year it suddenly spurts into growth and produces a single 4m (13.1ft) high flower spike festooned with blue, funnel-shaped flowers. After flowering the plant dies, but not before scattering its seeds. In mild parts of the country these may germinate where they land, but in colder areas seeds should be sown under glass in spring. Plants flower every second year, so sow seeds every year to ensure a continuous supply of blooms. 

Name: Echium Pininana

Approx. Height and spread: 2.5-4m  x 0.5-1m

Position: Sun

Soil Ph: all

Moisture: Well drained soil

Hardiness: Mostly hardy