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Echium pininana (Giant viper's bugloss)
1 hour care
per year
per year
3m
Max height
Max height
0.9m
Max spread
Max spread
2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Echium pininana
Other names
Echium pinnifolium, Giant viper's bugloss, Tower of jewels, Tree echium
Genus
Echium Echium
Species
E. pininana - E. pininana is a biennial, producing a low rosette of silvery-green, lance-shaped leaves in its first year. In its second year, it bears large spires, up to 30cm, of blue flowers on stout stems.
Echium pininana is: Evergreen
Habit
Erect
Toxicity
Severe discomfort may result if any part of the plant is ingested. Foliage may cause skin irritation.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Blue in Summer
Foliage
Green, Silvery-grey in Spring; Silvery-grey, Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Slugs , Glasshouse whitefly , Vine weevil Slugs , Glasshouse whitefly , Vine weevil
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Echium pininana (Giant viper's bugloss) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 0.9m after 2 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Coastal, City, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Wallside and trellises, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid excessive winter wet. Protect with horticultural fleece in autumn. Scientifically classed as a 'triennial' since it typically lives for three years, flowering 1-2 years after sowing.
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.
Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Echium pininana
Other names
Echium pinnifolium, Giant viper's bugloss, Tower of jewels, Tree echium
Genus
Echium Echium
Species
E. pininana - E. pininana is a biennial, producing a low rosette of silvery-green, lance-shaped leaves in its first year. In its second year, it bears large spires, up to 30cm, of blue flowers on stout stems.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Erect
Toxicity
Severe discomfort may result if any part of the plant is ingested. Foliage may cause skin irritation.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Blue in Summer
Foliage
Green, Silvery-grey in Spring; Silvery-grey, Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Slugs , Glasshouse whitefly , Vine weevil
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Echium pininana (Giant viper's bugloss) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 0.9m after 2 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Coastal, City, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Wallside and trellises, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid excessive winter wet. Protect with horticultural fleece in autumn. Scientifically classed as a 'triennial' since it typically lives for three years, flowering 1-2 years after sowing.
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.
Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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Echium pininana
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