Echium pininana
giant Viper's-bugloss
Overview
Echium pininana is a monocarpic biennial to short-lived perennial that grows as a single, towering flower spike, reaching 8-13 feet (2.5-4 m) tall in its flowering year. In its first year or two it forms a stout rosette of lance-shaped, bristly grey-green leaves 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) long, densely covered in stiff white hairs. In the final year a single unbranched spike rises from the rosette, packed with thousands of small funnel-shaped flowers, each about 0.4 inch (10 mm) across and pale blue to violet with protruding stamens. Flowering runs from late spring into summer, after which the plant sets seed and dies. The bristly hairs on stems and leaves can irritate skin on contact. It self-seeds heavily, with seedlings appearing around the parent. The plant needs a frost-free or nearly frost-free site to survive the years before flowering.
Native Range
Native to the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, where it grows in laurel-forest clearings and on shaded slopes. It is rare in the wild but widely grown in mild gardens, and it has naturalised in frost-free coastal areas of the British Isles, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.Suggested Uses
Grown in mild coastal and city gardens as a tall accent in borders and gravel gardens, where the towering spike rises above surrounding planting. Suited to frost-free or nearly frost-free sites and to exotic-style and pollinator plantings. Its height and heavy self-seeding limit its use in small or formal gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8' - 13'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Bloom Information
The single spike flowers from late May into August, with peak bloom in June and July. Flowers open from the base of the spike upward over several weeks. Bees and other insects work the spike heavily throughout flowering. The plant dies after setting seed later in the season.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale blue to violetFoliage 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
