Echium fastuosum, Echium candicans
Pride of MadeiraFamily: Boraginaceae
Origin: Madeira
It's an evergreen perennial that flowers its heart out from spring to summer. It grows rapidly to form a multi-branched bush with grey-green leaves. They're characterised by large and impressive blue flowers. Large 12" intense blue flowers stand high above the foliage to make a brilliant garden display. The flowers intrigue up close, and the bush is fantastic from afar, growing to about 7 ft tall and spreading to 3 ft. A great selection for a rockery garden and a dry bank. Plant in a sunny and well-drained spot, any reasonable soil will do. It's coastal tolerant, and can handle dry conditions and a very light frost or two. After flowering, remove the spent flower heads and prune lightly. This Echium is easily propagated by seeds. This plant was long called Echium fastuosum but more recently Echium candicans has been determined to be the correct name - unfortunate as the name 'candicans' means "white" while 'fastuosum' means "proud".
Similar plants:
