Echium Pininana
For the past few weeks I have been extremely fascinated with this gigantic coastal plant. I first stumbled across it in Howth but have since seen it in Wexford and Cork. I think you will agree with me when I say it is a giant! It can reach over 4 meters tall and I’d say the plants I have seen are not too far off this height! It was only after my trip to Cork that I learnt it’s name, thanks to a well placed name tag in Fota House and Gardens. Echium pininana or more commonly called Tree Echium, is a plant native to the Canary Islands but is increasingly grown in both Great Britain and Ireland. It is a biennial plant or even in some places a triennial so does take a while to enjoy its flowers, luckily the young plant is quiet striking.
Echium Pininana
I don’t think it would be a bad addition to a flower border and I would personally love one or two in my own garden. Unfortunately it is generally only found in coastal areas and I don’t think would survive in the midlands where I live! This is very heart-breaking as I love the small dusky blue flowers that appear on large spikes as the plant matures and how it self seeds to appear in large clumps in later years.
Echium Pininana
I guess I will have to visit the coast more often to enjoy this gigantic beauty!! Have you come across it in your travels?
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