About
Echium candicans, pride of Madeira, is a well-branched, sub-shrubby evergreen perennial with grey-hairy, spear-shaped leaves and dense terminal spike-like clusters of white, pale or deep-blue flowers from spring to summer. One of the most spectacular and striking of all the echiums, providing a bold display in a sheltered, sunny, well-drained garden.
About the genus
Echium are annuals, biennials, evergreen perennials and shrubs with coarsely hairy leaves and funnel-shaped flowers borne in panicles or dense, branching spikes in summer in shades of blue, purple, pink, white or red. Popular border and wildlife plants, excellent for bees.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal
Native toMadeira
ToxicitySkin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationUnder 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
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed at 13-16°C (55-61°F) in summer, overwintering seedlings at 5-7°C (41-45°F)
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs or glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free