Echium vulgare ‘Blue Bedder’ (Viper’s Bugloss)

Better-behaved and more colorful than the species, Echium vulgare ‘Blue Bedder’ (Viper’s Bugloss) is a compact, multi-branched biennial with showy spikes of cup-shaped, intense violet-blue flowers. Blooming all summer long until frost, the flowers are rich in nectar and very attractive to pollinating insects. Vigorous, easy to grow, pleasant and freely flowering, this Echium selection looks particularly beautiful in mixed borders and containers.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 16-20 in. tall and wide (40-50 cm). Readily self-sows.
• Performs best in full sun, in moderately fertile, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Poor soils and dry soils are tolerated. Avoid rich fertile soils to prevent excess foliage and fewer flowers. Drought tolerant once established.
• It is a great candidate for beds and borders, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, gravel gardens, Mediterranean gardens or prairies.
• Virtually disease free. Keep an eye out for slugs and snails. Deer resistant.
• Deadheading can extend flowering up to four months. Allow a few flowers to go to seed for new plants the following year.
• Propagate by seed outdoors at 41-45°F (13-16°C), in late summer and overwinter as seedlings.
• All parts may cause mild stomach upset if ingested, contact with foliage may irritate skin. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
• Toxic to horses.
• Native to Europe, Asia.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.