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Burncoose Nurseries - part of the Caerhays Estate
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    ECHIUM
    ECHIUM
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
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    ECHIUM ECHIUM ECHIUM ECHIUM
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    ECHIUM

    Includes the monocarpic monsters, E. pininana, which, if conditions permit, will self seed and multiply to bee-loving pillars.

    Flower colours are blue, purple, yellow, white or red.

    Genus of rosette-forming, stiffly hairy annuals and evergreen biennials, perennials (some monocarpic - plants which flower and fruit just once and then die) and shrubs from stony hillsides, cliffs, open woodland and grassy steppes in Europe, the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, Africa and western Asia.

    The UK native is E. vulgare, viper's bugloss, a biennial important for attracting insects.

    Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
    • Good to know
      Grown for their spikes of funnel- or bell-shaped flowers. Wildlife plant - bees, hoverflies.
    • Place of origin
      Europe, Canary Islands, Mediterranean, Africa, western Asia.
    • Evergreen
    • Herbaceous
    • Medium shrub
      Typically grow to around 4-6 feet in height
    • Tall Shrub
    • skin irritant
      (People & Pets)
    • Bee friendly
    View Planting Tips and Care Advice

    varieties
    ECHIUM fastuosum
    Pride of Madeira
    (candicans) - medium bushy shrub with grey-green foliage and short spikes of bluish flowers
     
    Seeds
    £5.00
    2 to 3 Litre
    £18.50
    Available again from summer 2026
    Could be any time, June through to end August. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ECHIUM pininana
    Tree echium
    (pinnifolium) - single stemmed biennial with long green leaves and enormous spikes of purplish-blue flowers
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £18.50
    Available late spring to early summer 2026
    Spring according to the Met Office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore late spring is mid-April onwards. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ECHIUM russicum
    Grey-green leaves with spikes of dark red flowers.
     
    1 to 1.5 Litre
    £16.50 £12.38

    Useful extras...

    Vermin & Pest Control
    SB Plant Invigorator
    This is a non-biological non-chemical plant insecticide and mildewcide. Works against the physical motion of the insect. Perfect for all plants and edible crops.
    500 ml
    £8.00
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    Afterplant - Grow Your Own
    AFTER PLANT GROW YOUR OWN seaweed is ready to use liquid concentrate that was specially formulated be used on all edible plants.
    1ltr
    £8.50
    Vermin & Pest Control
    Slug Pellets
    Slug killer blue mini pellets are easy to use and give effective control of slugs and snails. Ideal in garden, conservatory or greenhouse.
    800g
    £6.50
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