Overview
Echium candicans is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Echium, part of the Boraginaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 1.5-2.5 metres tall and 1.5-2.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 1-2 years. Echium candicans grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and alkaline and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1C. It is a holder of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, city and courtyard gardens and coastal. It is native to Madeira.
About
Echium candicans is a robust perennial sub-shrub characterized by its grey-felted, lanceolate foliage. In spring and summer, it produces dense, spike-like clusters of flowers that can range from white to pale or deep blue.
About the genus
Echium includes a variety of forms such as annuals, biennials, evergreen perennials, and shrubs. The plants feature simple leaves that are coarsely hairy. In summer, they produce funnel-shaped flowers that appear in either panicles or dense spikes.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Echium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
Echium candicans size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal
- Native to
- Madeira
- Toxicity
- Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Echium candicans
- Cultivation
- Under glass, grow in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Water freely when in growth, sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from winter frost in situ with biodegradable horticultural fleece
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed at 13-16°C (55-61°F) in summer, overwintering seedlings at 5-7°C (41-45°F)
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to slugs or glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite under glass
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Echium candicans?
Under glass, grow in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Water freely when in growth, sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from winter frost in situ with biodegradable horticultural fleece.
Where is the best place to plant Echium candicans?
Echium candicans prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Echium candicans need?
Echium candicans is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It prefers alkaline and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
How do I prune Echium candicans?
No pruning required.
How big does Echium candicans grow?
Echium candicans reaches a height of 1.5-2.5 metres and a spread of 1.5-2.5 metres. It takes around 1-2 years to reach full size.
Is Echium candicans hardy in the UK?
Echium candicans has a UK hardiness rating of H1C.
How do I propagate Echium candicans?
Propagate by seed at 13-16°C (55-61°F) in summer, overwintering seedlings at 5-7°C (41-45°F).
Is Echium candicans toxic?
Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.