Echium
candicans, commonly known as Pride of Madeira, is an evergreen, mounding,
rapid-growing, biennial or short-lived perennial subshrub that typically
matures to 5-6’ tall spreading to 6-10’ wide. It is endemic to the island of
Madiera in the Canary Islands, where it grows on rocky cliffs and terraces in
the Central Mountain Massif at elevations ranging from 2,500’ to 4,600’. It is
a shrubby, spreading plant. In the first year, each plant produces a basal
rosette of prominently veined, narrow, lanceolate to elliptic, hairy gray-green
leaves (each to 6-10” long). In the second year, woody, unbranched, spire-like
flowering stalks rise above the foliage rosette to 20” tall, each stalk bearing
from late spring through summer showy cylindrical terminal panicles (to 12”
long) of small but abundant narrow bluish-purple to white flowers with
protruding reddish stamens. Flowers give way to nutlets. Borders. Cottage
gardens, wild gardens, slopes, hillsides, and informal naturalized areas. Best
grown outdoors in moderately fertile, dry to medium moisture, well-drained
soils in full sun. Tolerates temperatures to as low as 20-25 degrees F.
Tolerates average soils. As a biennial, this plant will produce a basal clump
of foliage the first year from which rise flowering spikes in the second year. Not
only are these plants ornamentally gorgeous but they are also drought tolerant,
deer resistant, and hardy to salty winds as they are native to Mediterranean
climates. Hardy in zones 9-12.
Growing
Instructions for the Pride of Madiera
The seeds like
well-drained soil and full sun. Plant in potting soil with compost around
1/8-inch deep, and put a thin layer of sand over the top to anchor seeds in
place. Mist lightly each day, and maintain a consistent temperature of 60 to 70
degrees Fahrenheit during the course of germination. The seeds germinate in 2-3
weeks. Use a heating coil beneath planting trays if necessary.
Tyler (verified owner) –
The seeds had a great germination rate
Hayden (verified owner) –
So far so good!
Ryker (verified owner) –
Awesome product and company
Mason (verified owner) –
Very fast delivery.
Aiden (verified owner) –
Easy to grow beautiful