A Guide About Echium Flower

Numerous echium species are weeds that no one would dream of cultivating in the garden. One of these, however, Echium vulgare, Viper's Bugloss or Blueweed, is a very common not unattractive biennial widely diffused throughout Europe, with its natural habitat extending up to a height of It is sometimes grown in gardens, from seed sown in the flowering position, in full sun, in April, and it is appreciated for the intensity of its blue flowers.

The common name, Viper's Bugloss, confirms the opinion of botanists who named the genus Echium, from the Greek echis this name was probably chosen because the corolla, with its protruding, forked appearance, resembles a serpent's head. The genus is native to the Mediterranean regions and Southern Europe. It comprises several annual and biennial species that are of particular

value for their lovely blue and pink flowers. There is also a shrubby species, Echium fastuosum, a truly magnificent, spectacular plant. Visitors to the famous Hanbury Botanic Garden in La Mortola, Italy, can see it in all its glory because there it is grown to perfection on a large scale. In England it is practically impossible to cultivate this superb plant out of doors, while in the United States its outdoor cultivation is restricted to almost frost-free areas such as southern California; it can also be grown in a temperate greenhouse. It is, however, a difficult, capricious plant and not a subject recommended for the amateur.

The herbaceous perennial species and their varieties can be propagated from seed sown in frames in March; the annuals should be sown directly into their flowering positions in April; while Echium fastuosum can be propagated from cuttings in July and rooted in a closed greenhouse.

Echium fastuosum Ait.

Native to the Canary Islands. An evergreen shrub that will not tolerate frost and requires a warm, sunny position in well-drained alkaline  soil. When not in flower the plant is a somewhat ungainly shrub with greyish-green foliage. The inflorescences are spectacular, resembling very large erect candles, and are composed of masses of small, closely packed heads of beautiful, intense Mediter-ranean-blue flowers. Plants raised from seed have a tendency to vary in colour intensity, and it is essential to propagate from cuttings taken from the best-coloured plants.

Echium plantagineum L.

Native to Southern Europe. A very beautiful hardy annual species with lilac-blue flowers borne on compact plants. It is very free- flowering and can be used effectively for massing in beds or borders, although in a hot climate the flowering period is of relatively short duration. A particularly colourful strain is the var. Blue Bedder, which can also be effectively grown as a pot plant. A mixture of the variously coloured hybrids, which includes blue, pink, violet, and white, is sold under the name of Echium plantagineum hybrids. Any ordinary fertile soil is suitable, in a hot, sunny, moderately dry position.

Echium wildpretii Pearson

Native to Teneriffe in the Canary Islands. It is a pity that this species is not hardy, and only suitable for frost-free climates. There, however, it provides spectacular effects. The plants will bloom the second year after seed is sown, sometimes even the first year. When not in flower, the low-growing plants are not too attractive, but when the tall, erect,high flower spikes appear, they form a column of beautiful pink flowers. When well cultivated in a suitable climate this is a superb plant requiring an alkaline soil and an abundance of warmth and sunshine.

flower guide