ECHIUM. Mostly the Mediterranean region. These interesting plants are related to, but of much bolder texture than, the common forget-me-nots. Most have large hairy leaves and display quantities of small blossoms in intricately branched clusters. The following include two shrubby species and a biennial. Sun, well drained soils, occasional to no supplemental watering when established. Hardiness varies.
fastuosum. Pride of Madeira. A widely branched shrub of 3’ or more, carrying its long greyish leaves toward the branch ends. In late spring it is crowned by huge, dense spikes of tiny deep blue flowers. ‘Renelde’ is a white flowered variant received from horticultural friend Angel Guerzon. Hardy to 20oF or below.
pininana, Pride of Tenerife, is surely one of the most bizarre plants I have grown. It is a sparsely branched shrub with deeply veined leaves, easily 1½’ long, dark green on the upper surface and paler beneath. At flowering time (usually late spring) the spikes of our parent stock are from 10’ to over 15’ tall, bearing thousands of dark purple-blue blossoms. Hardy to around 20oF.
‘Purple Tower’. Did I mention that bees are crazy about the echiums? Given that and the fact that at least certain species are interfertile, one can have some interesting hybrids. This is exactly what happened when I gave plants of E. pininana and E. wildpretii to an old friend, Bob Tyler, and he placed them a few feet apart. The resulting seedlings have leaves much like those of E. pininana though often greyer. Flowering stems are of variable height and carry great quantities of deep purple to lavender, occasionally pink flowers. Fortunately they seem to favor the pininana parent in persisting at least a few years, especially if the old flower stems are removed before setting seeds.
wildpretii. Tower of jewels. This striking biennial has two distinct stages of life. It passes its first year as a large ball of silvery, sword shaped leaves. Early in its second year it begins to elongate into a 4-8’ tower of tiny buds, which open in late spring and summer into rose pink blossoms. Hardy to about 15oF.