Echium candicans
pride of madeira
Overview
Echium candicans is an evergreen subshrub reaching 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) tall and 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) wide, forming a rounded woody-based mound. Lance-shaped grey-green leaves measure 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) long and are covered in soft silvery hairs that give the foliage a hoary cast. From late spring into summer the plant carries dense conical flower spikes 12-20 inches (30-50 cm) long, packed with small blue to blue-purple flowers whose reddish-pink stamens project beyond the corolla. The spikes rise above the foliage and draw bees and other pollinators. Native to the island of Madeira, it grows in mild, frost-free coastal climates and is hardy in USDA zones 9-11, where it tolerates wind, salt spray, and lean soils. It is short-lived, often declining after 5-7 years, and can self-seed enough to naturalize on the California coast, where it is listed as a moderately invasive plant. Stems become woody and bare at the base with age. The plant needs sharp drainage and full sun; in heavy or wet soils it is prone to root rot. Frost below about 25F (-4C) damages foliage and stems.
Native Range
Native to the island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean, where it grows on coastal cliffs and rocky slopes. Its natural range is restricted to this archipelago off the coast of Portugal.Suggested Uses
Used in coastal and Mediterranean-climate gardens, on dry banks, and in large containers, spaced 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) apart. Suited to wind-exposed and seaside plantings where salt and drought limit other shrubs.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height5' - 8'
Width/Spread6' - 10'
Colors
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue to blue-purpleFoliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun with sharp, free-draining soil; sandy or rocky substrates suit it. Water deeply but infrequently once established, as the roots rot in waterlogged ground. The plant tolerates coastal wind, salt spray, and drought, and needs no supplemental feeding in most soils. It is hardy only where winter temperatures stay above about 25F (-4C). In colder regions it is grown in containers and sheltered over winter. Plants decline after 5-7 years and are usually replaced from seed or cuttings.Pruning
Cut back faded flower spikes after bloom to limit self-seeding and tidy the mound. Light shaping of the outer stems in spring keeps the form dense, though hard cuts into old leafless wood rarely resprout. Pinching young shoots encourages branching.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons