Pride of Madeira Echium

Pride of Madeira Echium

Another excellent Echium species that we’ve long admired growing around the Bay Area. This one is unfortunately even more tender than Echium wildpretii, but features vibrant violet flowers. Flower stalks come up in many spikes. Pride of Madeira Echium also lasts much longer than the biennial Tower of Jewels, living around 5 years, sometimes longer. Worth a try in the mildest parts of the garden here in Portland, or an easy and grandiose perennial for the coast.

Latin Name: Echium fastuosum
Site and Soil: Full sun and well-drained soil
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Hardiness: Hardy to about 20-25F.
Bearing Age: Biennial, flowers in its second year.
Size at Maturity: 4-8 ft. in height
Bloom Time: May-June
Ripening Time: Seeds ripen after flowering
Pests & Diseases: Not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 9a