Pride of Madeira

A bushy biennial subshrub with the most magnificent, very tall cones of blue flowers opening in late Spring, flowering right through the Summer. Echium candicans produces a beautiful rosette of silvery-green soft fuzzy foliage in the 1st year which is followed, in the 2nd year, by numerous cones that can grow up to 2.5m (8ft), formed from densely clustered neat little blue bell flowers. These are extremely attractive to bees and other pollinators. A low maintenance drought tolerant plant so vigorous in growth it will stand out from the crowd. Avoid frost pockets. This plant is definitely worth the space it will take up. Looks good in the cottage garden or in a shrub border.

Site: Requires shelter from all winds, salt tolerant
Soil: Most well-drained
Position: Full sun
Season of Interest: Very tall blue flowers Spring and Summer. Evergreen foliage rosette
Hardiness: Slightly tender, tolerant of mild winters without prolonged freezing spells down to 0°C
Height: 8ft (2.5m) Spread: 5-8ft (1.5-2.5m)