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Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Front, middle

Soil

Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Echium vulgare (Viper's bugloss) is a biennial wildflower, often found in grassy and disturbed situations. It's extremely attractive to pollinators, especially bees. It bears rosettes of slender, bristly foliage, from which upright leafy stems emerge in early summer bearing spikes of violet blue or purple, bell-shaped flowers. It's perfect for growing in a wildlife garden or mini-meadow, but is also suitable for growing at the front of a sunny border.

For best results grow Echium vulgare in well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid cutting stems back after flowering, as these will develop seeds, which will self-sow freely around the garden.

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Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyesyes
Plantyesyes
Flowersyesyesyes

Echium and wildlife

Echium is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Echium poisonous?

Echium can be toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Horses
Horses
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
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