Tallest echium

[kernowsue]

I have grown an echium for the first time and boy! do they put on some growth. It has now reached a height of 16 ft and is covered in bees of all sorts all day long. A great plant but a bit tender for many areas I think, but worth trying.

[nightshade]

Lovely plant ,I often wondered what they were called there are a couple of six footers in the parking area at Torcross.Mere babes compared with yours!

[Kayleigh]

Nice plant kernowsue. Did you grow it from seed..

[galanthus]

Wow, a very impressive plant indeed Wonder if I can graft a sunflower to the top Where is it native to ?

[Bub-les]

There are loads of them over here. Mine isn't flowering yet looks like its going to wait till next year! Which will make it a triennial! Think they come from Chile.
Barbara

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by galanthus

Where is it native to ?

It is native to the Canary Islands where it is an endangered species in the wild.

I saw some impressive specimens naturalised in the Channel Islands last summer.

[kernowsue]

A friend has had them in her garden here in Bude for the last 2 or three years (approx 8ft),and she gave me a very small seedling in a 4" pot. It has taken two years to establish itself and was only 5ft high in February. Then it started developing the flowers which come out from a spire which has just grown and grown and is now covered in little blue flowers which the bees love. It will die when it has finished flowering, but will probably seed everywhere. I have seen them here to about 12ft max, but ours is topping 16ft at the moment. They are plentiful on the isles of scilly and even south east ireland. Thanks for all the interest.

[Bub-les]

Originally Posted by Bub-les

There are loads of them over here. Mine isn't flowering yet looks like its going to wait till next year! Which will make it a triennial! Think they come from Chile.
Barbara

Sorry should have checked they're not from Chile at all. They're from the Canaries!
Barbara

[tufftie]

There are lots of them in the west of Cornwall. They will self seed quite readily, if they are happy in a situation. They don't like frost but like being in pots even less. There are quite a few different types - try Chilterns seeds for a wide range.