Blue, roadside flower - Echium vulgare?

[Paul mabbott]

Is this E. vulgare or have I totally missed it. 20cms+ by trackside.

[IanS]

hi
I dont see a link to the picture so its rather hard to tell!

[Paul mabbott]

Whoops!

[Tiggrx]

Yes it's Echium vulgare

[Bub-les]

Yes I'm pretty sure its Viper's bugloss Echium vulgare
Barbara

[Paul mabbott]

Thanks. I thought so but it seemed so out of place!

[Jez]

The best splash of vibrant blue from Vipers Bugloss was on the motorway coming back from Cymru...Pity we had to keep on moving!

[booboo]

Hi,
I have these I my garden, anyone know if I pruned them back would I get a second show?
Thanks

[leifus]

Originally Posted by Jez

The best splash of vibrant blue from Vipers Bugloss was on the motorway coming back from Cymru...Pity we had to keep on moving!

i always see things ive never seen before on the motorway. its so annoying!!!!

[jhewitt15]

vipers bugloss definitely.

its greatly annoying when you see good plants whilst moving in the car,

[naturegirl]

Hi Booboo!

I'm not sure if these are perrenial or annual flowers in the wild. Either way you could remove the seed head and it may give a second flowering. It is always worthwhile removing any seeds to prolong flowering I think.

I grew the cultivated version of these a few years ago and noticed a web holding the leaves together in the centre. Being a curious person I gently prised a little hole to see who/what the inhabitant was and was delighted to see a Painted Lady pupa suspended by a thread from the centre of the web! It wiggled like mad and the sun caught the shiny reflective disc making it sparkle, magic!!


Naturegirl

[Meta menardi]

Ooh Mr Bugloss, you are so good to see. I know of about 2 sites here where it it is always about, it really is a fantastic plant.

[Susie]

I have it in the garden and I must say I am quite disappointed with it. The odd bee visits it occasionally but that is all.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Susie

I have it in the garden and I must say I am quite disappointed with it. The odd bee visits it occasionally but that is all.

I used to grow it + found it was good for bees. I've also found the more exotic tall (often 10 feet or more) relative Echium pininana a great bumblebee plant. It is a bit tender (think originally from Canaries, but common in Cornish gardens + other mild places).