(Echium wildpretii)

Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Echium
Species wildpretii

Plant Link: http://plantsdatabase.com/go/57273/

This is a gorgeous picture!!

I agree.

Thanks, it's a really imposing plant and the bees love it.
I should think that for those of you lucky enough to have hummers that they would love it too.

Wow WoW WOW

boo, the plant link does not work. I wanted to read about this one. I want it!! LOL

According to the Sunset Western Garden book, the Echium wildpretii just develops leaves the first year. The second year it grows to 6 - 10 ft forming a thick column of rose to rose red flowers. When the countless flowers fade, the plant dies, leaving behind a vast amount of seed. (They call it an interesting oddity.) Can anyone verify the accuracy of this description? It certainly sounds interesting.

The blooms are so magnificent that they do not look real. The photo is super. Thanks for sharing with us.

We do have some lovely flowers in Michigan but when I see something like this--it's spectacular.

I have what I assume is a Tower of Jewels growing in the shade. It is 19 feet tall and in full bloom.

I assume this is Echium wildpretii. Is this unusually large? Should I try to save seed from this plant?


I can post a photo if it would help.

Ron Kuhnel
Eureka, CA

Ron, there are many species of Echium - we have several within the PDB here: http://plantsdatabase.com/b/Boraginaceae/Echium/ if you'd like to compare.

I also edited the link above so it goes to E. bourgaenum, which is - the last time I checked - the basionym of E. wildpretii or E. wildprettii; of course, it might have changed by now ;o)

picking jaw off floor........WOW!!

This is the 19' tall Echium wildpretii growing on the north side of my house in Eureka, CA. The flower is still developing.

This is a close-up of the the flowers. The flower spike is about 7' in length, and as you can see is still developing blossoms on the tip. This photo was taken today from my third floor window of my house. This is "last years" plant. A new plant from this season is growing in the background. This one is sited four feet lower and is already 9' tall.

I just love your house Ron. I have always wanted to go see Eureka. Is it full of such old grand homes?

Your tree is amazing. YES, SAVE SEEDS!!! If you have any extra I would love to try it. thanks
Kell

Wow! How lovely! I wish this plant could be grown in south Georgia. What a master designer our Master is!

This picture is upside down.

I think you're right- unfortunately, that's the way it was submitted ;o)