Echium HELP

Echium plant is looking very poorly - lower leaves have changed colour from green to reddish brown and are drooping. I’ve never grown before. Overwintered wrapped in fleece and was looking great until about a week ago. Any advice appreciated.
Sarah

 

I'd say either too much or not enough water.
They drink gallons in hot weather but you can also rot the roots as well.

They Also like some feeding if in a container, but that is not the immediate problem.

 

The bottom leaves look like mine do, the difference being mine has a 12ft flower spike on top.
Where in the UK are you and when was it planted?
Below is one of mine showing leaves like yours. The other three I have are completely bald below the flower spike.

The question is where is your flower spike, have a look in the top of yours and see if you can see anything. I have had flower spikes abort due to cold weather/ cold winds.

 

Thank you
The wilting started after a dry spell so I watered very thoroughly but don’t seem to have alleviated the problem.
I will try a feed
Still a little bit of green at the top. Hope it keeps going.

Hi
Thank you
I’m in Northamptonshire. I planted the Echium last summer and protected overwinter with fleece. It’s been growing well since spring. It still has a green growing tip.
Another that I planted elsewhere in garden was frost damaged and threw up a number of smaller spears and has flowered.

 

Dont feed it, feeding will not perk it up, it has no flower spike as the top growing point is still intact.
I was looking earlier on my phone and thought it was in a container I can now see its not.
Has it got root rock?

I have this one that's now in its third summer and still no flower, it's over 6 ft and still growing, wont flower now until next year.

 

What’s root rock?

 

That is gonna be an utter monster!

 

If next winter allows.

 

Root rock is when the wind moves the top part around and loosens the roots, usually happens in winter when the ground is soft and during gales, but windy conditions at any time can cause it.

 

I am hoping to get this big boy through the winter ,hope it’s a mild one.
I may cover with some fleece if we have a very cold spell.