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Photo by Hans Hillewaert

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Echium vulgare

Also Known As

Blueweed
Viper's Bugloss

Plant type

annual / biennial

size

H: 24"-36"
W: 12"-15"

planting zones

1-12

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Echium vulgare plant details

Echium vulgare is a broadleaf deciduous annual / biennial with green foliage. In summer blue, pink and purple flowers emerge. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Echium vulgare

Plant type: annual / biennial
Plant family: boraginaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 12 IN - 15 IN - wide, 24 IN - 36 IN - tall
Flowers: blue, pink and purple blooms in summer

GROWING CONDITIONS for Echium vulgare

USDA Zones: 1 - 12
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: deer, rabbit and snail / slug
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

An annual or short-lived perennial, though it is inclined to self-sow so it will often become a more-or-less permanent fixture in your garden if you let it. It has typical echium foliage -- rough, hairy, and coarse, and producing spikes of reddish purple or blue flowers about 1 foot tall. I find it rather lovely rambling about the garden, and it has never really been a weed for me, though I understand it is rather a noxious one in California.

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Garden photo gallery of Echium vulgare

Photo of Echium vulgare flower by Hans Hillewaert

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By: Hans Hillewaert

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

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Photo of Echium vulgare flower, form by Sylvia Duckworth

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By: Sylvia Duckworth

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Gardening facts about Echium vulgare plant

How to Grow Echium vulgare

Sun Exposure
- sun
Water Needs
- regular - drought tolerant
Water Needs
- dry in summer
Soil Needs
- average
- well-drained

Features

Foliage Color
- green
Flower Color
- pink
- blue
- purple
Wildlife
- bees
- butterflies
- hummingbirds
- deer resistant
- snail / slug resistant
- rabbit resistant
Flower Season
- summer
Foliage Season
- deciduous