About
Echium pininana, giant viper's bugloss, is a magnificent rosette-forming biennial or short-lived perennial producing spear-shaped, silvery-hairy leaves to 1 m long. Each rosette produces a towering flower panicle up to 4 m long � one of the tallest flower spikes in cultivation � packed with small, trumpet-shaped, blue flowers in mid to late summer. A truly spectacular plant for 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, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Coastal
Native toCanary Islands
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 sown at 13-16°C in summer, overwintering seedlings at 5-7°C
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs or glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free