Echium pininana Blue Steeple (Tower of Jewels) seeds

Amazing plant with a flower spike up to 4m tall! Native to the Canary Isles, this plant first forms a palm tree like stem with rosettes of thick, hairy leaves. After its second winter, it produces its huge flower spike densely packed with thousands of deep blue flowers which are a magnet for bees and butterflies. Will need to be kept frost-free so grow it in a 30cm+ container and move to a frost free place for winter.

A magnificent plant well worth the wait!

Half Hardy Perennial (min 0C)
Flowers: Summer
Height: 4m
Position: Full sun in well-drained soil or containers

Packet of 20 seeds

Caution: All parts can cause skin irritation.

 

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GROWING GUIDE

Sowing Instructions: Sow at any time of year, except mid-summer.  Sow on the surface of a moist, free-draining seed compost and propagate at 18 to 20C in a propagator, coldframe, greenhouse or on a windowsill indoors sealed in a polythene bag. Germination should take place from 14 to 60 days. As the seedlings begin to emerge, very gradually increase ventilation by opening the propagator vents or the bag.

Growing Instructions: When the seedlings are large enough to handle, pot up individually into small pots (7-9cm) and grow on in well-ventilated conditions at about 13 to 15C. Overwinter in a frost free place at about 5C. When established, gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions before planting out in late spring or early autumn, 50cm apart, in a well drained, sheltered position or in large containers (1 plant to 30cm container). Plants will flower in their second year.