How to grow echiums

Echiums are related to borage and share similar characteristics, such as hairy stems and leaves, and nectar-rich flowers which are loved by pollinating insects. There are around 40 species of echium that grow across Europe and Asia. These range from the common Echium vulgare, also known as viper’s bugloss (the seed looks a little like a snake’s head) to the gigantic Echium pininana or tree echium, which can grow to around 5m. The taller varieties originate from the Canary Islands, but can grow in milder, drier parts of the UK as long as the soil is free-draining and they receive plenty of sunlight. In the right conditions echiums will self-seed prolifically, colonising your garden if allowed to. Be careful when handling them as the sap can irritate the skin and all parts of an echium plant are toxic if eaten.

How to grow echiums

Echiums can be annual, biennial, perennial or semi-evergreen. For best results, grow them in full sun in free-draining soil. Some varieties do well in containers. Collect the seed of annual and biennial echiums in autumn to resow the following spring to summer. Alternatively, let them self-seed around your garden - often the plants grow best this way.

Where to grow echiums

Biennial and perennial echiums grown outdoors need free-draining soil to enable them survive the cold, wet conditions of winter. They thrive in full sun but will tolerate shadier situations – although they might become misshapen in such situations, growing in the direction of the light. Some varieties grow well in large containers, which may be the best option for the more tender perennial varieties, as they will need to be overwintered indoors.

How to plant echiums

Echiums can be grown from seed. Sow hardier annual varieties such as Echium 'Blue Bedder' direct in mid-spring for flowering the same year, or in late summer for flowering the following year. Sow biennial types such as Echium vulgare and Echium pininana in seed trays or small pots from late spring to early summer, lightly covering the seeds with vermiculite. Keep moist but do not overwater. Transplant seedlings when they are large enough to handle, planting them into their final growing positions in their first year to avoid root damage.

Alternatively sow direct in a few different locations - often this will yield the best results. As echiums can be a little picky about where they want to grow, this way you are more likely to experience success with at least some of the seeds.

Echiums can grow well in a variety of locations, including coastal and gravel gardens, banks and slopes, cottage gardens and wildflower meadows.

How to care for echiums

Echiums are pretty robust plants, given the right growing conditions, for example, in full sun and in free-draining, moderately fertile soil. However, the more tender varieties may need protection during cold winter weather, either in a cold greenhouse or a conservatory if growing in pots. If the plants are growing in borders, you can use fleece to loosely cover the crown of the plant.

Growing echiums from seed and taking cuttings

Annual and biennial echiums will self-seed readily. Alternatively, you can collect ripe seed and sow this yourself. Keep them in a dry envelope over winter and sow them the following spring to summer.

You can take cuttings from shrubbier species such as Echium fastuosum, either as softwood cuttings in May to June or as semi-ripe cuttings from August to September.

Pests and diseases

Echiums are rarely troubled by pests and diseases, although young plants can be damaged by slugs and snails, despite their hairy stems and foliage. If growing tender echiums in the greenhouse or conservatory, they may be affected by red spider mites and whitefly. Varieties grown in pots could be susceptible to vine weevil.

Echium varieties to grow

Echium amoenum Red Feathers is a perennial variety, but rather short lived. The plumes of flowers are a pinkish red. It’s a good filler for sunny borders and is also good for growing in a pot. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering. It's hardy across most of the UK in all but the coldest of winters – be ready to add protective fleece or move indoors if extremely cold nights are predicted.

• Buy Echium amoenum Red Feathers from Thompson & Morgan

Echium pininana is one of the more recognisable varieties with its dramatic spires of flowers. Biennial, it will self-seed readily in the right spot. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM)

• Buy Echium pininana from Burncoose

Echium vulgare is a biennial wildflower, good for attracting pollinators, especially bees. Rosettes of slender, bristly leaves appear in the first year, followed by spikes of blue, bell-shaped flowers. It’s perfect for growing in a wildlife garden or at the front of a sunny border in free-draining soil

• Buy Echium vulgare from Crocus

Echium webbii bears tall spikes of brilliant, violet-blue flowers. It’s perfect for growing in a sunny, sheltered spot or sunny patio in milder parts of the UK. As a biennial it flowers in the second year, so if you want to enjoy the spectacular display you may need to nurse it through winter with some protective fleece.

• Buy Echium webbii from Plant World Seeds