Echiums

I've been trying, mostly without success, a 3-year-strategy.

Year 1 seedling, over winter 1st Winter under glass (in a pot). I don't look after these very well so many/most/all die at this stage.

The plan would then be to plant out in Spring 2, and then insulate / protect as much as possible in Winter 2 and then Ta!Da! they flower in Year 3.

 

I think you are doing well if you have a candicans still alive in the garden.
It has been a very mild winter up till now.

 

Not only alive but thriving. I was going to cover it as it is very exposed, but that never happened. Best it got was a thick mulch of Taxodium needles around the base. Branched out really well too.

I'm obviously turning into a right jessie as I've not been warm for months! Certainly milder than the last few winters though.

 

Pete - thats a good point that Echiums flower pretty early - so they must be active even earlier.

 

congrats Pete! thats a fine looking plant... looking forward to the flower spike pics :P

 

Thinking of growing a couple of these this year, which is the easiest from seed?

 

They are all mostly easy from seed, the big question is which is the most easiest to flower in the UK?
Along with which is the most impressive?

 

I grew Snow Tower a few years ago and got them to 4ft tall and nearly as wide, had 3 growing in the ground, they survived 1 winter but I lost them at the end of the second winter :(

I did however manage to get a Pink Tower flower in a large pot, the flower spike eventually reaching 6-7ft in height, very impressive

Will have to have another go I think

 

I like the flowers but I like it more for the foliage

 

and which is the easiest to not-kill over-winter under-cover

 

Never found them easy to kill Kristen, they mostly put up with a lot of abuse, but I doubt they would like house conditions.

 

I don't think they like being in pots much ... maybe I should put them in much bigger pots?

 

If you grow them in pots you need to feed and water very well, its almost impossible to overwater in summer, I'm sure very similar treatment to brugs would work.

 

I'm not sure I've got it right in Winter, although this year they look fine - except that they look like they are wanting to complain that the pots are too small.

Thank's for the tip about summer feeding and watering.

 

I think that I've proven that with my E.candicans. I'll take some photos at the w/end.