Product Description

General aspect and origins Echium fastuosum, syn. Echium candicans, is also known as pride of Madeira, this plant being native to Madeira. It is an evergreen perennial plant that can reach up to 5 - 8 ft (1.50 m - 2.40 m) tall, with spikes of tiny purple-blue flowers appearing in spring. Leaves - This Echium has evergreen lanceolate leaves, that are about 8 in (20 cm) long. Flowers - Dense 2 ft (60 cm) long spikes of tiny purple-blue flowers appear in spring. Culture Echium fastuosum is a showy and perennial plant, that can withstand negative temperatures down to 26°F to 24°F (-3°C to -5°C). It thus can be grown in USDA zones 9 and warmer. Also, this plant can be grown in coastal and windy conditions. Note that leaves and stems may prove slightly skin irritant. So handle with care. Soil - This Echium requires a well-drained ground. Propagation This Echium is easily propagated by seeds.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30917 in Lawn & Patio
• Brand: Hirts: Seed; Annual

Customer Reviews

Low germination rate
Out of 50 seeds only 4 germinated, they are growing well although they have slowed down a bit which may be the normal growth pattern for this plant.

quality of seeds
I bought theses seeds - as well as many others - and they simply did not come up. I followed all instructions given for planting but had zero results. This was true of about 95% of all the seeds that I bought with these seeds. I live in an area where it is in the 60's at night and 80's during the day (year around). I am at 4,800 feet above sea level in the city of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. The seeds were started in small cups in potting soil in my greenhouse under a very controlled condition.

The seeds were shipped to my Texas address and brought to my home in my auto. I say this so there is no miss-understanding that they were damaged via x-ray by way of a flight.

It was a waste of time and money.

Need more instructions!
I purchased these seeds in the spring and had to wait a long time this past year to sow them because we had a late winter! It was recommended that the seeds not be sown until the soil temps were 72 degrees. I know this plant is zone 9..more meant for a California clime, but I was told by an expert in these parts that it can and does survive in zone 7...up until a good snow dumping. My seeds did not sprout at all. Ever. None of them. I'm not sure if it was me or the seeds. Might be willing to try again, since I fell in love with this plant while traveling in Big Sur, California this year. Wish the seeds came with more specific instructions on sowing/air temps vs soil temps so maybe I could get them to grow next time.