Introduction

Echiums are attractive, bee-friendly plants that are perfect for a variety of gardens. They come in a range of sizes and colors, making them a great choice for any gardener. In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about growing echiums, from planting to care.

Types of Echiums

There are around 40 species of echium, ranging from the common viper’s bugloss to the giant tree echium. The most popular varieties for gardens include:

• Echium vulgare (viper’s bugloss): A biennial wildflower with blue, bell-shaped flowers.
• Echium pininana (tree echium): A biennial with dramatic spires of blue flowers.
• Echium amoenum (Red Feathers): A short-lived perennial with pinkish-red flowers.

Planting Echiums

Echiums can be grown from seed or cuttings.

• From seed: Sow hardier annual varieties directly in the garden in mid-spring or late summer. Sow biennial types in seed trays or pots from late spring to early summer.
• From cuttings: Take cuttings from shrubbier species in May to June or August to September.

Growing Conditions

Echiums need lots of sun and well-drained soil. They are hardy in most parts of the UK, but tender varieties may need protection from frost and cold winds.

Care

Echiums are relatively easy to care for. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and fertilize monthly during the growing season. Remove spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering.

Pests and Diseases

Echiums are rarely troubled by pests and diseases, but young plants can be susceptible to slugs and snails.

Conclusion

Echiums are a beautiful and easy-to-grow addition to any garden. By following the tips in this guide, you can enjoy these stunning plants for years to come.

It’s February, and as a subscriber to Gardeners’ World magazine, you’ll have received your free flower seeds. Flower grower Cel shares her top tips for growing echiums and tells us her plans for the month.

Growing Echiums

Echiums are beautiful flowers with spires of bright blue flowers that bees and other insects love. They’re perfect for attracting pollinators to your garden.

To grow echiums from seed, sow them indoors in February. You can use a heated propagator or a sunny windowsill. Sow the seeds thinly in a seed tray filled with sieved compost. Cover the seeds lightly with compost and a sprinkling of vermiculite.

Once the seeds have germinated and developed a couple of sets of leaves, prick them out into individual pots. Keep them in a warm, bright place until they’re ready to plant outside in April.

Other Tips for February

• Don’t sow all of your seeds at once. Save some for a later sowing so you’ll have flowers all season long.
• Water your seedlings from below by standing the seed tray in a tray of water.
• Use a sieve to remove large lumps from your compost before sowing seeds.
• Clean your pots and seed trays before reusing them to prevent the spread of diseases.
• Prepare your greenhouse or windowsill for spring sowing and growing.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to grow beautiful echiums and other flowers from seed this year.