The Echium family of shrubs have tall crowns adorned with small, bell-shaped flowers.Smaller, more manageable varieties of the tallest species can be found.Make sure the planting area gets plenty of sunlight by choosing a size that suits your space.While they are easy to grow from seeds, you can transplant them in your yard from a garden center.
Step 1: If you have room for a large plant, go with a giant viper's bugloss.
The crown of Echium pininana is festooned with small, bell-shaped flowers.If you have a lot of space and need a focal point in your garden, it is a good option.The bugloss needs at least 3 ft (0.91 m) of room to spread its roots.The best place to plant it is by a wall or fence because it needs protection from the wind.The plant needs to survive winter since the flowering spike doesn't grow until the second year.It is not the best choice for cold climates.
Step 2: If you don't have room for a tree, choose a mid-sized option.
The Echium candicans, or pride of Madeira, is smaller than the tower of jewels, with a maximum height of 4 2 to 8 ft.Echium vulgare, or common viper's bugloss, tops out at around 3 ft.Madeira and viper's bugloss are biennials, which means they flower in their second year.The species are slightly more frost tolerant than giant viper's bugloss, but still need protection during extended periods of freezing temperatures.
Step 3: If you want ground cover, plant a low-growing species.
If you need to take up horizontal space instead of making a vertical statement, go with Echium plantagineum or blue bedder.The maximum heights are 1 to 2 ft (30 to 61 cm).These varieties prefer milder winters and need protection during extended periods of freezing temperatures.It is easier to protect them with horticultural fleece than it is with a giant.If animals are near your planting area, echium plantagineum is not suitable.Invasive echium species are found in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.Discuss any local environmental concerns with your county, province, or state agriculture department.
Step 4: Make sure your plants get at least 6 to 8 hours of sun.
All members of the echium family need full sun.If you want to choose plants for your garden, you need to know how much sunlight it gets.The planting area should get at least 8 hours of sun from the morning through the afternoon.Plants will appreciate a little shade from the intense late afternoon sun if you live in a hot climate.The echium family is better suited to soil beds.They can be grown in large containers.The pots need to be kept outside during the growing season because they still need plenty of sunlight.
Step 5: You can use sandy or well-draining soil.
Any species of echium will be killed by waterlogged soil.If you have dense clay soil, you need to dig out at least 3 ft (0.91 m) deep and amend it with sand, loam, or equal parts garden soil and perlite.Echium varieties prefer poor soil conditions, so there is no need to addfertilizer.In dry climates such as the western United States, species of echium have become popular landscaping choices.
Step 6: After the threat of frost has passed, sow seeds in early spring.
You can see flowers in late summer if you sow seeds in the early spring.If your plants don't bloom until their second year, they will still produce spiky silver leaves that will add interest to your garden.You can find echium seeds online or in a garden center.If winter temperatures do not fall below 40 F, you can sow seeds in late summer, but you won't see blooms until the following year at the earliest.After the threat of frost has passed, you may have to sow seeds indoors.
Step 7: If necessary, amend the soil.
Prepare the planting area by tilling the soil and removing weeds.If your soil is dense, rake in sand, loam, or a mixture of equal parts garden soil and perlite.To get to the roots of larger species, dig at least 2 to 3 ft (0.61 to 0.91 m) into the soil.
Step 8: The seeds should be spread around 2 to 4 in.
Go to the soil bed and water it.You should check your package's instructions for specific spacing requirements.If you want to grow larger species, you might have to transplant them.Freely broadcasting seeds is easy, but you could also dig grooves in the soil and sow the seeds there.It will be easier to distinguish echium sprout from weeds.
Step 9: The seeds should be covered with about 4 in of the soil.
You don't want to bury echium seeds with a thick layer of soil because they need light to grow.After broadcasting the seeds, scatter a dusting of soil over them.
Step 10: For 2 to 3 weeks, water the planting area.
Keep the planting area moist, but be careful not to ruin the soil or wash away the seeds.You can start watering the bed less frequently if the seeds grow quickly.During heavy rains, cover seeds and seedlings with garden cloches or a tarp to keep them from getting washed away.
Step 11: The hole should be 2 to 3 times larger than the root ball.
The hole should be equal in depth to the root ball.The roots have room to spread if it is 2 to 3 times wider than the root ball.Air circulation and room to grow will be provided by the loose soil you fill in after planting.Before planting, amend your soil with sand or loam.
Step 12: Before planting the root ball, gently massage it.
Remove the shrub or seedling from its container.Place your fingers on the roots to loosen them.Massaging the roots will help them establish themselves in their new home.
Step 13: The root ball should be covered with loose soil.
Use a garden trowel or your hands to bury the root ball.The roots meet the stem in the soil.The roots need drainage, air circulation, and room to grow, so keep the soil loose.Place individual plants about 20 in (51 cm) apart if you have a smaller species of echium.If you are planting a larger species, you should have 50 individuals in each other.
Step 14: The soil should be moist for around 3 or 4 weeks.
Don't flood the planting area if you water thoroughly after planting.Water the bed frequently and don't let the soil dry out until the plants are established, which will take a few weeks.When you see new growth, you will know the plants are established.
Step 15: Once the plants are established, water should not be used.
Start watering your plants less frequently after a few weeks of sowing seeds.Don't forget to check the soil during dry spells.If the bed is dry, stick your finger into the soil, pull it out, and water it, since they don't like soggy soil.Plants need water if they are not getting it in 2 or 3 weeks.There is no need to fuss over them.
Step 16: As the taller species grows, pack the soil.
Pack the soil around the base of the jewel so it doesn't topple when it starts to produce flowers.You might need to tie it to a stake if it starts to lean.It's important to remember that planting near a wall or fence can help protect taller plants from the wind.
Step 17: Deadhead planted flowers to encourage blooms.
Before they have a chance to drop a seed, deadhead your plants by plucking the fading flowers from the central spike.Deadheading can extend the flowering period from 2 months to 4 months for some species.All echium species self-seed.If you allow your echium to self-seed, it could take over your entire garden.
Step 18: If you find any that you don't like, remove it.
Some species of echium are susceptible to pests and diseases.Hold back foliage and look at your plants.Look for holes in the stems.You should remove any organisms you find.Purchase pesticide labeled for slugs and snails at your local garden center if you have an insect problem.According to your instructions, scatter the pellets thinly around your plants.You may need to apply an insecticidal soap if the problem is getting out of control.Make sure you follow the instructions in the product packaging.
Step 19: During the winter, protect plants with fleece.
You can buy horticultural fleece at a garden center if you want to cover your echium garden.If temperatures rise above freezing, the cover should be removed during the daytime.It is difficult to cover taller species.If you live in a cold climate, you can grow taller echium and store it inside for the winter.
Step 20: For continuous blooms, sow seeds every year.
If echium species bloom in their second year and die after flowering, sow seeds or encourage self-seeding annually.You can have a continuous crop of plants.The echium dies after it flowers.If you want to encourage self-seeding to sow next year's crop, give the central spikes a gentle whack when the flowers are spent.Once the seedlings grow, you can pull or transplant them.