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Echium pininana 'Blue Steeple'

Echium pininana 'Blue Steeple'

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Giant viper's buglossBiennialFamily: Boraginaceae

Height: 2mSpread: 1m
Frost hardy

Attractive to wildlife

Flower colour:

Blue

Foliage colour:

Green

Position

Sun Exposure:

Full sun

Aspect:

South facing, west facing

Position in Border:

Back

Soil

Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Echium pininana 'Blue Steeple' is a stunning biennial plant from the Canary Islands. In its first year it forms a low rosette of silver, hairy, spear-like leaves, and then in the second year it sends up a huge spike loaded with small blue flowers. It makes a dramatic statement in a sunny, sheltered garden, and is extremely attractive to bees. It has been given the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Grow Echium pininana 'Blue Steeple' in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. After flowering, it scatters seed and dies. It self-seeds readily in mild, sheltered parts of the UK, but seed is unlikely to germinate in cooler regions. Be careful when handling as the sap can irritate the skin and the whole plant is toxic of eaten.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSowyes**yesPlantyes**yesFlowersyesyesyesCollect Seedsyes**yes

Echium ‘Blue steeple’ and wildlife

Echium ‘Blue steeple’ is known for attracting bees and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees

Bees

Is not known to attract Beneficial insects

Beneficial insects

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Butterflies/Moths

Butterflies/Moths

Is known to attract Other pollinators

Other pollinators

Is Echium ‘Blue steeple’ poisonous?

Echium ‘Blue steeple’ can be toxic.

Toxic to:

Is known to attract Cats

Cats

Is known to attract Horses

Horses

Is known to attract People

People

No reported toxicity to:

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Dogs

Dogs

Is not known to attract Livestock

Livestock