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    • Photo of Echium wildpretii flower by Joshua McCullough

    Photo by Joshua McCullough

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Echium wildpretii

    Also Known As

    • Tower Of Jewels

    Plant type

    annual / biennial

    size

    • H: 4'-8'
    • W: 2'-3'

    planting zones

    • 9a-11

    More Options

    Echium wildpretii plant details

    Echium wildpretii is a broadleaf evergreen annual / biennial with blue foliage. In summer pink flowers emerge. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something seaside / salt tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Echium wildpretii

    Plant type: annual / biennial
    Plant family: boraginaceae
    Foliage: evergreen blue
    Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 4 FT - 8 FT - tall
    Flowers: pink blooms in summer
    Uses: rosette-forming, self-sowing, xeric

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Echium wildpretii

    USDA Zones: 9a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: deer, seaside / salt
    Soil needs: average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    A magnificent and highly desirable monocarp. Globe like rosettes of slender, tapering, silver haired leaves eventually produce a fat towering spire composed of millions of small, rich rose flowers. A true xerophyte that adapts perfectly to our hot dry summers and then keels over instantly after chance summer rain or just the return of autumn humidity if still too warm. From high altitude in the Canary Islands receiving most of its moisture from passing clouds to which it's physiology is highly adapted. Growable in cooler climates, were it won't adapt itself so highly, with infrequent water in very well drained soil where intense sunlight will be preferred and some frost tolerated. As with most monocarps only very young plants establish well, if at all. Unlikely to be offered again having conceded defeat after many attempts.

    By: Zephs

    An evergreen, erect, unbranched biennial that bolts from a 3' rosette to 8' tall in its second year. In late spring of the second year it will form a thick column of rose-red flowers 3-5" long. Plants die as the flowers fade leaving seeds for the following year. Hardy to 15 °F. Canary Islands.

    By: Native Sons

    One of the coolest plants we can grow here on the West Coast! Otherwordly conical clusters of glistening reddish pink flowers can reach 8' & will certainly get your garden noticed! Deer proof, bug proof and totally drought tolerant “Tower of Jewels” seems not to care about anything but looking stupendous! Usually blooms in year 2 but in the meantime you get an impressive 30" across foliar rosette. Adored by hummers and self-sows for years of enjoyment! Poor dry soil ok but not clay.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    An extraordinary addition to the dry garden, one of the plants in our garden that receives the most comment when in bloom with its huge column of dark red-pink flowers, to 4-8' tall, rising out of the low-growing rosette of narrow, silvery leaves. This native of the Canary Islands is a biennial, forming a handsome, 2' rosette in the first year and blooming spectacularly beginning in spring of the second year. Produces abundant seed to perpetuate itself, especially if surrounding soil is loose and undisturbed. Best in full sun, very well-drained soil, and little or no summer water once established. Frost hardy in USDA Zone 9.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Gardening facts about Echium wildpretii plant

    How to Grow Echium wildpretii

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • seaside / salt tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • pink

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • butterflies
      • hummingbirds
      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    See other plant types of Echium for your garden

    Echium candicans 'Star of Madeira'

    aka Echium fastuosum 'Star of Madeira'

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    9a-10b

    Size

    Height: 4'-6'

    Width: 6'-8'

    • sun
    • occasional
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Echium candicans 'Star of Madeira' foliage by plant lust
    View Plant

    More Options

    Echium fastuosum 'Death Star'

    aka Variegated Pride of Madeira

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    9a-10b

    Size

    Height: 4'-6'

    Width: 6'-8'

    • sun
    • drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Echium fastuosum 'Death Star' foliage by plant lust
    View Plant

    Echium 'Red Rocket'

    aka Echium x wildpretii 'Rocket'

    Plant Type

    Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    8b-10b

    Size

    Height: 30"-80"

    Width: 24"-36"

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Echium 'Red Rocket' form by plant lust
    View Plant

    More Options

    Echium aculeatum

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Perennial

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 3'-5'

    Width: 3'-5'

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Echium aculeatum foliage by Patricia Cunningham
    View Plant

    Echium pininana

    aka Giant Viper's Bugloss, Pine Echium, Tower of Jewels

    Plant Type

    Annual / Biennial

    Zones

    9b-11

    Size

    Height: 10'-12'

    Width: 3'-4'

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Echium pininana flower by left-hand
    View Plant

    More Options

    +20 more Echium
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