Echium vulgare (Viper's Bugloss )
Viper's Bugloss, Adderwort, Blue Devil, Blue Thistle, Blueweed, Bugloss, Cat's Tail, North American Blueweed, Snake Flower, Viper's Grass, Viper's Herb
Native to Southern Europe, Echium vulgare (Viper's Bugloss) is an upright annual or biennial plant with dense cylindrical spikes of bell-shaped violet-blue flowers with elegantly protruding red stamens. Blooming from late spring to early fall, the flowers are followed by rough nutlets resembling viper heads before the plant dies. They rise from a basal clump of lance-shaped leaves with bristly hairs. Echium vulgare was once used as a treatment for viper bites, hence its common name. It doesn't attract snakes or vipers!
- Moderately fast-growing, Viper's Bugloss grows up to 12-30 in. tall (30-75 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm). Viper's Bugloss reseeds freely. Remove flowering spikes before nutlets mature to limit undesired self-seeding.
- Performs best in full sun, in average, 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 and deer resistant.
- Virtually disease free. Watch for slugs.
- It is a great candidate for beds and borders, cottage gardens, or naturalized areas.
- Propagate by seed.
- 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.
Buy Echium vulgare (Viper's Bugloss )
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" (45cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United Kingdom |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Botanik Foto
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 | 3
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" (45cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United Kingdom |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |