Echium simplex
pride of Tenerife
A half-hardy biennial or triennial plant forming a rosette of silvery leaves to 50cm across. In its second or third summer it throws up a flower spike to 1.8m tall; this is densely packed with small white flowers that are irrisistible to bees
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Echium can be annuals, biennials, evergreen perennials or shrubs, with simple, coarsely hairy leaves and funnel-shaped flowers borne in panicles or dense spikes in summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Canary Islands
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Water freely while in growth, sparingly in winter. Outdoors grow in moderately fertile, freely-draining soil in a very sheltered, sunny, warm site. Protect from winter frosts in-situ using biodegradable horticultural fleece
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 13-16°C in summer, overwintering seedlings at 5-7°C
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs or glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite under glass
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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