Echium webbii
Webb's Pride of Tenerife
Overview
Echium webbii is an evergreen shrub from the Canary Islands growing 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) tall and 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 m) wide, forming a rounded, woody-based mound of narrow, lance-shaped, grey-green leaves covered in short bristly hairs. In late spring it sends up dense, conical flower spikes 8–16 inches (20–40 cm) long packed with small, funnel-shaped blue flowers with protruding pink stamens. The flowers draw large numbers of bees and other insects. The plant grows on rocky slopes in its native range and tolerates heat, drought, wind, and coastal salt once established, though it is frost tender, damaged below about 23°F (−5°C), and short-lived, often declining after several years. Hardiness places it in USDA zones 9–10. The grey foliage persists year-round in mild climates. In colder gardens it is grown in containers moved under cover or treated as a short-term planting. It self-seeds where conditions suit, and seedlings can replace older plants as they fade.
Native Range
Echium webbii is native to the Canary Islands, particularly La Palma, where it grows on rocky slopes and in open scrub at low to middle elevations.Suggested Uses
Echium webbii is grown in Mediterranean, gravel, and coastal gardens, on dry sunny banks, and in mixed borders with other drought-adapted plants. Its blue spikes support bees and other pollinators. In containers it suits hot, sunny terraces with sharp drainage.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer, roughly April to June in the Northern Hemisphere. Dense conical spikes of blue flowers open over several weeks and attract bees and other pollinators. Each spike carries many small flowers that open in succession. Seed sets after flowering, and the plant often self-sows.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Blue with pink stamensFoliage 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 Echium webbii in full sun in light, well-drained soil, including sandy and gravelly ground of low fertility. Water during establishment only; mature plants withstand drought and rot in wet, heavy soil. The shrub tolerates coastal salt and wind. It is frost tender and is grown against a warm wall, in containers under cover, or as a short-lived planting where winters fall below about 23°F (−5°C). Rich soil and heavy feeding produce soft growth and fewer flowers. The main problems are frost damage and root rot in cold, wet conditions.Pruning
Echium webbii needs little pruning. Spent flower spikes are cut out after flowering to keep the plant tidy and to limit self-seeding where it is unwanted. Light trimming of the foliage mound in spring shapes the plant, though cutting into old bare wood is avoided as it regrows poorly.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons