Echium pininana
'Blue Steeple'

Photo (left) courtesy of Mark Delepine

Straight out of Jurassic Park, massive, conical, blue-purple spires reaching 12’ high or more(!) are an eye-boggling sight and a bee and hummer’s delight! Thriving in temperate coastal climates, it can take several years to bloom above the 3’ wide, low tropicalesque leafy rosettes. Undemanding and drought tolerant, just provide fairly well-drained soil and a bit of Summer water during hottest days. Best in full sun but tolerates a bit of shade. Protect from frost in year one. Reliably self-sows, any excess seedlings are a cinch to remove. Deer resistant.

Annie

Sun/Pt.Sun
Low Water

Biennial/Triennial
USDA zones 9b-10