Echiums
According to the RHS A-Z Enclopedia of Gardens Plants, the echiums are a genus of 40 species of rosette-forming, stiffly hairy annuals and evergreen biennials,perennials some monocarpic) and shrubs, from stony hillsides, cliffs, open woodland and grassy steppes in Europe, the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, Africa and West Asia.
Twelve were listed in the 2001 RHS Plantfinder when we started our collection, this figure has now been increased to over 30 in the latest edition - as being available commerically in the UK.
But... we have now obtained more information from the internet which suggests there may be as many as 360 species! We are hoping to try and 'adopt' this genus and try to research and refine the global list - as we think many must be duplicates!
Meanwhile, if you come across any species on your travels - we would like very much like to know details of their growing conditions, habitat etc..
Wanted: E. handsiense, sabulicola, flavum, angustifolium, stenophylla, auberianum, anglicum, ambiguam and australe. If you have any seed or plants - we would be more than happy to trade!
Our Echium collection...
We hope you will find our brief notes about the echiums in our collection of interest. We are constantly updating the information we have about each plant - as we learn first-hand about this facinating genus. We will be obtaining more field photographs and detailed propagation details in due course.
| Species | Description | Photo |
| Echium aculeatum |
Low,
branching shrub with narrow lanceolate, spiny leaves. Conical spikes of
pure white flowers, native of Tenerife, Gomera and Hierro. Flowers in
Spring. Will grow in well-drained soil, but is not completely frost-hardy
so protection is needed.
|
|
| Echium albicans | When young this plant forms a beautiful rosette of silvery spider like leaves. In it's second year it then produces many spikes of violet-blue to pink flowers - we have found this to be quite hardy in our garden in Devon. | Photo |
| Echium amoenum | A european native perennial with spikes of soft red flowers in summer. This grows to a height of about 12" and is one of the most beautiful Echiums and easy to grow. Survives quite low winter temperatures. | Photo |
| Echium boissieri | Native in mountains of Southern Spain. Produces attractive rosettes of silvery/green leaves in the first year followed by very tall spikes bearing lovely rose-pink flowers with long protruding red stamens. Biennial for well drained spot - we have found this to be a very robust, hardy species. | Photo |
| Echium brevirame | Our seed was given to us by Tresco Gardens - where this plant was growing with a similar bushy habit to that of candicans. Silvery foliage gives way to many spikes of long silvery white flowers.Treat as half hardy. | Photo |
| Echium callithyrsum | A shrubby species, native to, and quite rare on, Gran Canaria. Produces many spikes of deep blue flowers with long protruding anthers in May and June. Up to 1.5 metres. | |
| Echium candicans | Pride of Madeira - a large spreading woody-based shrub with silvery-green (white-haired) lanceolate leaves. Masses of flower spikes which vary from light blue to dark-purple blue are produced in spring. Needs protecting from the winter wet/frosts - suit a sunny well-drained spot. | Photo |
| Echium decaisnei | Growing abumdantly in southern Gran Canaria, this sub-shrub has shiny green leaves followed by normally white flowers, though we have witnessed blue and white with a blue cross. | Photo |
| Echium gentianoides | This is a rare native to La Palma, to be found growing in the lower pine forest region. Unusually for an echium it has very smooth leaves. Very beautiful when in flower, the large deep-blue flowers are produced on shrubby stems. Treat as tender and protect during winter. | Photo |
| Echium giganteum | The largest shrub in the genus from Northern Tenerife, producing panicles of white flowers in early summer. Treat as half-hardy. | Photo |
| Echium italicum | Produces one or more erect stems, large hairy basal leaves 20-35cm. Large branched inflorescenes often pyramidal in shape. Flowers with yellowish, pink, or blue corolla: 10-12mm long. Collected from Crete where it flowered in March/April. Hardy biennial. | Photo |
| Echium leucophaeum | A large branching shrub - producing many flattish creamy/white flower spikes. Will only tolerate light frost and needs sun and well drained soil. | Photo |
| Echium lusitanticum ssp. polycaulon | Rosette forming perennial producing pale blue flowers with violet veins and gracefully protruding stamens. Not the most stunning Echium, but gives a pleasing appearance and is very much loved by bees. Hardy - ideal for the flower border - flower spikes nearly 2ft long. | Photo |
| Echium lycopsis | This Echium is now considered to be the same as E. plantagineum. | Photo |
| Echium nervosum | A bushy shrub from Madeira producing sky-blue flowers with protruding pink anthers. Not too easy to grow as it needs moist but well-drained soil in a frost-free position. | Photo |
| Echium onosmaefolium | Prickly leaved shrub from Gran Canaria, producing many spikes of white flowers. Needs full sun and winter protection as it is not entirely hardy. | Photo |
| Echium pininana | A giant plant from La Palma laurel forests. This is the Echium often seen growing in gardens in the south west. Produces a 3m tall spire of deep blue flowers spring to summer. Can thrive in full sun or dappled shade in well-drained compost/humus. | Photo |
| Echium plantagineum | Erect plant with several flower-bearing stems. Basal leaves oblong or lanceolate 5-14cm, with conspicuous lateral veins. Forked inflorescences. Corolla 18-30mm, rich red/purple. Habitat: Roadsides and meadows by the sea. Hardy annual and very easily grown | Photo |
| Echium rosulatum | Prickly, showy annual with masses of open, funnel-shaped rich red/blue/mauve flowers. Height 18" Spread 3 feet. Very easy to grow. . | Photo |
| Echium russicum | Stunning, small, perennial Echium from Russia, producing long spikes of dark red flowers. Completely hardy in well drained soil in the UK | Photo |
| Echium simplex | A stunning plant that produces a huge white inflorescence up to 4m in height! This is a very rare plant from the Anaga region on Tenerife. A good foliage plant with bold silvery leaves, but will not tolerate low winter temperatures as we have found to our detriment! | Photo |
| Echium strictum | Mainly from Eastern tenerife, we have found this plant quite easy to grow and very obligng with it's flowers. We would, however, describe it as tender and in need of protection. An echium with lime-coloured leaves and brilliant rose-blue flower colour. Tender. | Photo |
| Echium sventenii | Spikes of whitish/pink flowers on this rare Echium from Tenerife. Requires poor, well-drained soil and winter protection. | |
| Echium virescens | A multibranching shrub from the open pine forests of Tenerife with iridescent mauve/pink flowers. Needs well drained soil. Semi-hardy minimum -3c.Easy to grow. | Photo |
| Echium vulgare | Bushy, upright hardy annual or biennial with narrowly lance-shaped to linear, toothed, white bristly-hairy leaves, to 15cm long. In early summer, produces short, dense spikes of bell-shaped flowers, purple or vibrant-blue. Ideal for border or wildflower garden. European native. | Photo |
| Echium vulgare 'Drake's Form' | Plant obtained from NCCPG plant sale. Produces spikes of deep blue flowers - similar to a small version of E pininana. A hardy annual and very beautiful. | Photo |
| Echium webbii | From rock crevices on La Palma. Similar to E.virescens, inflorescence narrower with violet-blue flowers and broader deep-green leaves. Rarely seen in cultivation - photo from Eden project. Tender. | Photo |
| Echium wildpretii ssp. wildpretii | A spectactular plant from the Canary Islands which produces a tall spike of crimson flowers with beautiful rosettes of silver leaves. Easy to grow - but resents winter damp! Hardy to -5 C. Protect rosette with a sheet of perspex suspended above the plant in winter. | Photo |
| Echium wildpretii ssp. trichosyphon | Larger broad leaves than wildpretii and plumes of pink flowers in May. Hardiness should be as E. wildpretii. | |
| Echium wildpretii x pininana | A rare native of Tenerife. This variable giant hybrid produces tall (3m) spires of rich pink or blue flowersProtect from severe frosts and keep dry over winter if possible. Will tollerate dappled shade.. | Photo |
| Echium x scilloniense | Seed given to us by Tresco Abbey Gardens. Raised,or self -seeded at Tresco, probably a hybrid between E. Callithrysum and E. pininana. A branching shrub with 1 metre long flower spikes. Purple/blue. Tender. |