About
Pink Fountain' is a rosette-forming biennial or short-lived perennial with lance-shaped, hairy, grey-green leaves. Each rosette of leaves produces a long, tapering spike, up to 4m high, of pink flowers in summer.
About the genus
Echium can be annuals, biennials, evergreen perennials or shrubs, with simple, coarsely hairy leaves and funnel-shaped flowers borne in panicles or dense spikes in summer
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 usesArchitectural, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
ToxicitySkin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass, grow in a peat-free, loam-based 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