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Echium pininana

Common name: Giant Viper's Bugloss

Discover the majestic beauty of echium – an ideal and impactful addition to your garden

-1 to -5°C
Good for Pollinators

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What will I receive?
Young Plants
3 for £19.00
just £6.33 each
10 for £34.00
just £3.40 each
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Also known as the Giant Tree Echium, pininana will ensure you are the envy of your neighbours. Making a dramatic statement in any well-drained garden, Echium pininana are happy in borders or large containers from where their nectar-rich blooms will entice bees and butterflies into your garden. Large, hairy, grey-green foliage forms a beautiful, palm-tree-like rosette, creating the perfect base as tall, 35cm wide towers grow, tapering as they rise up to 4 metres. Spires are adorned by purple-blue, bell-shaped from June to September which simply cannot be missed. Echium is a genus within the Boraginaceae family, and plants are native to the Canary Islands. The name is derived from the Greek word ‘ekhis’ meaning viper which forms part of its common name, Viper’s Bugloss. The name relates to forking at the end of each flower which resembles a viper's tongue. This particular variety holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its outstanding performance in the garden. Perfect for growing in a sheltered border, or large heavy pot, plants prefer moist, well-drained soil of any kind except heavy clay. Position in sun or dappled shade with a south or west facing aspect. Echium pininana is a half-hardy (H3) biennial which welcomes some protection from the hardest, coldest frosts in winter (when the temperatures dip below -5°C). Plants will happily self-seed – providing you with more plants for following years.
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Key Information
Latin Name Echium pininana
Common Name Giant Viper's Bugloss
Hardiness H3 (-1 to -5°C)
Colour Purple
Format Young Plants
Position Full-Sun
Foliage Evergreen
Height in Maturity (m) 3.60 m
Spread in Maturity (m) 1.00
AGM Yes
Soil Conditions Chalk Loam Sand
Soil Acidity Acid Alkaline Neutral
Aspect South-facing, West-facing
Drought Tolerant Yes
Good for Rockeries Yes
Good for wildlife Yes
Good for pollinators Yes

Our Story

Hayloft was founded by Yvonne in 1992. Since then we have grown into one of the UK’s favourite online plant nurseries.

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