Echium Candicans Postcard

Echium candicans (Pride of Madeira) is a bushy frost hardy perennial evergreen shrub with purple flowers in early Summer. It grows well in direct sun, and prefers low levels of water. The flowers are campanulate shaped arranged in a spike inflorescence. It has high drought tolerance. It looks best in Summer. Echiums usually take 2 years to produce a flower spike. The first year to grow the rosette shaped base and the second year to grow the flower spike. The plant then dies after shedding its seeds. It self-seeds easily. Always use gloves when handling as the leaves and stems have sharp prickly hairs that can cause irritation.