Echium amoenum (Red feathers)

Botanical name

Echium amoenum

Other names

Red feathers

Genus

Echium Echium

Species

E. amoenum - E. amoenum is a compact, clump-forming, evergreen biennial or short-lived perennial with upright stems bearing lance-shaped, hairy, dark green leaves and, from late spring into autumn, dense, spike-like panicles of red flowers fading to shades of pink and purple with age.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Compact, Clump-forming, Erect flower stem

Toxicity

Severe discomfort may result if any part of the plant is ingested. Foliage may cause skin irritation.

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Colour

Flower

Dark-red in Spring; Purple, Pink, Dark-red in Summer; Pink, Dark-red, Purple in Autumn

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Slugs , Glasshouse whitefly , Vine weevil

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Pruning

Deadhead to encourage flowering into autumn. If self-seeding is desired, leave some flower spikes intact at the end of the season.

Propagation

Sow by self-seeding or in a cold frame in late autumn.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Echium amoenum (Red feathers) will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 0.4m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Gravel, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, City, Beds and borders

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid excessive winter wet. Short-lived but tends to self-seed. Drought tolerant once established.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3