Echium

( EK - ee - um )

At-A-Glance Information

The Echium genus, also called Viper's Buglosses, include biennial and perennial species of plants that require full sun and regular to moderate water to perform well in the garden. These plants are grown for their architectural forms and striking clusters of flowers that appear at the ends of branches. All species grow well in dry, poor soil but do need good drainage. Excellent for gardens on the coast, in mixed beds and borders, or as eye-catching specimens; the flowers also attract bees and other pollinators. Take care when planting these shrubs in your yard, as they are considered to be invasive in certain areas. These plants are also toxic to humans, pets and livestock if ingested.

echium Species and Varietals

The genus Echium is a member of the Boraginaceae family, and includes around 70 distinct species. The genus name is derived from the Greek word for Viper ('echis'), referring to the shape of the head of the plant, and it was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Echium growing zones vary by species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Echium amoenum (Red Feathers, Iranian Borage, Cow's Tongue Flower, Golgāvzabān, گل گاوزبان)
This species of Echium forms a biennial or perennial herbaceous plant native to Iran, the Caucasus, and Russia. It reaches up to around 16-20 inches tall when mature and in flower, and produces reddish-purple flowers. Foliage is green. This species is suited for USDA hardiness zones 3-9.

Echium candicans (Echium feasuosum) (Pride of Madeira)
This shrub grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 14-24, and is native to Madeira. Gets to 5-6 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. Gray-green leaves form mounds at the ends of stems, and blue/purple flowers appear above leaves in springtime. Varieties include 'Star of Madeira' (with variegated leaves), 'Starburst' (light green leaves). Frost may kill branch tips and developing flower spikes. Needs light pruning to keep a bushy habit. This species is considered invasive in California, Australia, and New Zealand.

Echium italicum (Italian Viper's Bugloss, Lady Campbell Weed, Pale Bugloss, Italian Bugloss)
This species of Echium is native to the Mediterranean Basin and has naturalized in the United States, North Africa, the Caucasus, Australia and Europe. It forms a short-lived perennial plant characterized by tall, spiky, cream-colored flowers and hairy, lance-shaped green foliage. It is often found growing in disturbed dry areas along roadsides and fields. Best in USDA hardiness zones 6a-9b and is considered invasive in the United States.

Echium judaeum (Judean Viper's Bugloss)
This species of Viper's Bugloss is native to an area that spans southern Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan. Individual plants in the species reach up to 20 inches tall and produce funnel-shaped flowers from February through May. Flowers begin lavender and then move through shades of purple, violet, and blue before they fade, causing a multicolored effect.

Echium pininana (Tree Echium, Pine Echium, Giant Viper's Bugloss, Tower of Jewels, Pride of Tenerife)
This is a perennial species, best in USDA hardiness zones 9-10 (optimally 9b-10b) or Sunset growing zones 16, 17, and 22-24. The species is native to the Canary Islands. Plants have a sparse branching structure and grow to 18 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide at maturity when in bloom, producing long, narrow, gray-green leaves topped with clusters of blue flowers. These plants are considered invasive in California.

Echium plantagineum (Purple Viper's Bugloss, Paterson's Curse, Salvation Jane)
These plants are native to western and southern Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern Asia. It is a winter annual plant that reaches up to between 8 and 24 inches tall at maturity. Flowers are purple and appear in branched inflorescences. This species is considered to be invasive in Australia, the United States (California and the PNW), South America, and South Africa.

Echium vulgare (Viper's Bugloss, Blueweed)
This species is a biennial but is commonly grown as an annual shrub. It grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3a-10b or Sunset growing zones 4-9 and 14-24. This is a European native, and grows 1-3 feet tall and 1 foot wide at maturity. Leaves are covered in white bristles and flowers are blue, white or pink and appear in spikes. Seeds freely, and can become a bit unmanageable. This species is considered invasive in the Pacific Northwest and Great Plains of the United States as well as Canada.

Echium wildpretii (Tower of Jewels, Red Bugloss, Tenerife Bugloss, Mount Tiede Bugloss)
Biennial plant, grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10 or Sunset growing zones 15-17 and 21-24. In the first growth year, is an attractive mass of silvery grey hairy leaves. In the second year, it forms a 6-10 foot tall column of rose to rose-red flowers. When flowers have faded, the plant dies and seeds are dispersed. The species is considered invasive in coastal California.

Caring for Echium

Take care when planting these shrubs in your yard, as they are considered to be invasive in certain areas. These plants are also toxic to humans, pets and livestock if ingested. Plant Echium in full sun exposure (somewhere it will receive between 6 and 8 hours of sunlight per day). If afternoons are particularly warm, provide some sun protection in the later hours of the day to avoid having burning foliage. Space plants 12-18 inches apart for smaller species and 6-10 feet apart for larger species. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for much of the year with supplemental irrigation during extended periods of drought. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.

Echium plants do not need to be fertilized. The flower spikes may need to be staked, depending on how tall the plants are and how windy the area they are planted in is. Pruning is simple; remove spent flower spikes to discourage reseeding. Deadheading will also extend the blooming period for between 2 and 4 months. Echium plants are short-lived perennials or biennials, typically lasting for between 2 and 5 years in the garden before needing to be replaced. These flowers will re-seed freely and can become a nuisance in gardens, but this tendency will also provide replacement ornamental landscape plants indefinitely.

Propagation

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant, and that your seed-propagated Echium may not flower for the first two to three years. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. The seeds on Echium plants are held in the flower spikes after the blooms have faded. Once they have dried out you can harvest the seeds. Cut the dead flower heads off of the plant, placing them in a box or bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Echium seeds.

Seeds are contained in the spent flower heads of Echium plants, and will drop to the ground and freely reseed.

Problems and Pests

Certain species of Echium are considered invasive in certain regions; for more information, see the species descriptions above. Check with local authorities before planting. Echium plants do not suffer from many pest or disease issues, though they can have problems with slugs and snails from time to time. For more information how how to treat and prevent this issue, see the links below.

Pests & Pest Management

Plant Issues