Overview
Echium vulgare is a annuals, biennials, evergreen perennials, shrubs herbaceous perennial in the genus Echium, part of the Boraginaceae family, with bristly, lance-shaped leaves foliage. It typically grows around 0.9 m tall. Echium vulgare grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders, containers, meadows and conservatories. It is native to Albania, Altay, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia and Denmark.
About
Echium vulgare, known as viper's bugloss and blueweed, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family Boraginaceae. It is native to most of Europe and western and central Asia and it occurs as an introduced species in north-eastern North America, south-western South America and the South and North Island of New Zealand.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Echium vulgare
About the genus
Echium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae that contains about 70 species and several subspecies.
Wikipedia contributors, "Echium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Echium
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Echium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Echium vulgare size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- herbaceous perennial
- Habit
- Annuals, biennials, evergreen perennials, shrubs
- Foliage
- Bristly, lance-shaped leaves
- Height
- 0.9 m
- Suggested uses
- Borders, containers, meadows, conservatories
- Native to
- Albania, Altay, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark
- Toxicity
- If eaten, the plant is toxic to horses and cattle through the accumulation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the liver.
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Echium vulgare
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained soil and full sun; drought tolerant once established; avoid overly rich soils to prevent legginess
- Pruning
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming; cut back after flowering to maintain shape
- Propagation
- Seed, cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Slugs, vine weevil
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Echium vulgare?
Prefers well-drained soil and full sun; drought tolerant once established; avoid overly rich soils to prevent legginess.
Where is the best place to plant Echium vulgare?
Echium vulgare prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Echium vulgare need?
Echium vulgare grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
How do I prune Echium vulgare?
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming; cut back after flowering to maintain shape.
How big does Echium vulgare grow?
Echium vulgare reaches a height of 0.9 m.
Is Echium vulgare hardy in the UK?
Echium vulgare has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Echium vulgare?
Seed, cuttings.
Is Echium vulgare toxic?
If eaten, the plant is toxic to horses and cattle through the accumulation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the liver.
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