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Echium vulgare

Echium vulgare

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Viper's buglossBiennialFamily: Boraginaceae

Height: 75cmSpread: 50cm
Hardy

Attractive to wildlife

Flower colour:

Purple

Foliage colour:

Green

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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Echium ‘Vulgare’ and wildlife

Echium ‘Vulgare’ 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 ‘Vulgare’ poisonous?

Echium ‘Vulgare’ 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