Echium vulgare (Viper’s Bugloss)

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, and contact with foliage may irritate the 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.