Echium pininana (Tower of Jewels)
Pride of Tenerife, Taginaste, Tower of Jewels, Giant Viper's Bugloss, Tree Echium, Pine Echium, Echium pinnifolium
A very impressive Echium species, Echium pininana (Tower of Jewels) is a biennial or short-lived perennial bearing thousands of terminal blue or white flowers in massive, conical spires reaching for the sky. In its first year, it forms a large basal rosette, up to 3 ft. across (90 cm), of lance-shaped, silver-hairy leaves. Then its second year, it sends up a huge spike packed with flowers in summer. Resembling missiles ready to launch, they are extremely attractive to bees. After flowering, Echium pininana makes seeds and dies. However, it self-seeds readily in mild winter areas, maintaining its striking presence in the garden. Seed lies dormant for as long as 7 years. Undemanding and drought tolerant, this giant of the herbaceous plant world makes a truly spectacular statement in the landscape.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
- Grows up to 15-18 ft. tall (450-540 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
- Performs best in full sun, in moderately fertile, well-drained soils. Protect from winter frost.
- It is a great candidate beds and borders, wall-side borders, city gardens, coastal gardens, cottage gardens.
- disease free. Keep an eye out for slugs. Deer resistant.
- Propagate by seed sown at 55-60°F (13-16°C) in summer, overwintering seedlings at 41-45°F (5-7°C).
- All parts may cause stomach upset if ingested.
- Native to the Canary Islands.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 8
– 10 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 15' – 18' (4.5m – 5.4m) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 30" – 36" (75cm – 90cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |
By Gerry Burrows, Lois GoBe, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 8
– 10 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 15' – 18' (4.5m – 5.4m) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 30" – 36" (75cm – 90cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |