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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Boraginaceae (Borages) |
| Origin: Madeira Islands (Atlantic Ocean) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Blue Violet |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Synonyms: [Echium fastuosum] |
| Height: 4-6 feet |
| Width: 4-6 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Drought Tolerant: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Echium candicans (Pride of Madeira) - A rapidly growing evergreen shrub to 4 to 6 feet tall or more by as wide with long, gray-green leaves held at the ends of the branches. The large stalks of small bluish-purple flowers appear in the spring on into the summer. Plant in full sun. It is drought tolerant This is a good plant for mild coastal climates and seaside gardens. Inland plantings will require irrigation and protection from heat and cold. Pride of Madeira often reseeds itself and as this plant is short lived (5-6 years), allow seedlings to replace older woodier plants. Prune flower inflorescences off after flowering to tidy up the plant and cut back hard in late fall to reduce size and encourage new growth from lower branches. A great plant on a slope or in an area with room to spread out. Hardy to about 25 degrees F. The genus name is from an ancient Greek word for the plant. It is derived from 'echion' with the root word 'echis' meaning "viper" but the reason for this has several interpretations. Included among these are the shape of the seed resembling that of a viper's head and from the age-The genus name is from an ancient Greek word for the plant. It is derived from 'echion' with the root word 'echis' meaning "viper" but the reason for this has several interpretations. Included among these are the shape of the seed resembling that of a viper's head and from the age-old belief that Echium vulgare, a plant called Viper's Bugloss, was a remedy for the adder's bite. This plant was long called Echium fastuosum but more recently Echium candicans has been determined to be the correct name - unfortunate as the name 'candicans' means "white" while 'fastuosum' means "proud". We grow the species from seed but also grow several selected cutting grown selections, including 'Select Blue', 'Rincon Blue' and 'San Bruno Pink' as well as a variegated foliage form with blue flowers called 'Star of Madeira'.
This description of this plant is based on our research and our observations of it growing at the nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We always appreciate receiving feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or have additional cultural tips that would aid others growing Echium candicans [E. fastuosum, Hort.] .
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