Neighbour has given me a challenge!

My neighbour has just returned from a visit to Devon and has returned with 2 packets of seeds for me to deal with. The 2 packs are Echium Pininana"Blue Steeple" and Echium "Blue Dwarf". I have seen these amazing monsters growing on the west coast of Scotland right by the sea but nowhere else so I'm sure they are pretty tender. Does anybody grow these and if so any tips as to how best to succeed? I am happy to try and maybe if I have success they could be grown in big tubs and spend the winter in my unheated greenhouse if that would be good enough? I live in eastern Scotland (Fife) not right on coast but having said that I can grow the likes of Nerines if in an optimum spot and my Galtonias which I planted last year have come through last winter (not a severe 1). Any info would be much appreciated, thanks.

 

Well I tend to grow Echiums, pininana, is probably the one you have seen with the massive spikes, it doesn't necessarily flower the next year after flowering, it can take a couple of years.
I'd go for large pots, as it is often killed down here by anything below minus 5C particularly if wet at the time.

I think the blue dwarf might be the one that grows around here naturally, Echium vulgare, mostly around the coast.
It's quite hardy if well drained.

 

Thanks very much @pete, will give it a go and see if anything germinates. I have huge pots (had trees in them)which are about 18 ins in diameter, if I get germination would those be a good idea or start off with something smaller? Also what kind of growing medium? I expect something very free draining with added gravel maybe. What about compost/manure? expect that's a no and maybe not peat either? Sorry for all the questions but do try at least to give plants the growing conditions they like as far as is possible and I usually reap the benefits!

 

Just for info... why may (or may not help ).... a relative has three Echium Pininana "Blue Steeple" that were only a few inches high when planted in a border approx 3 years ago. They grew around 3ft a year and developed a thick, woody thrunk and some serious foliage. This year they shot up to the lower stratosphere and have been flowering for a month or so now. Bumble bees go crazy for them!!!

They are in quite damp clay soil in a southerly position but shaded behind a tall fence so only got full sun (until this year when they bolted) in the morning and late afternoon.

They have survived frosts that have finished off other semi-hardy plants but were sheltered from the worst of the frost and cold winds by surrounding fences. Hope this of any help!

Edit: full sun this year - at least at the top section of these 10ft+ beasts that grow taller every day!

 

I've never found them to be fussy about compost type, and good drainage, ie not waterlogged, but at the same time it does get too dry for them around here, even in my clayey soil, come mid summer, so lots of water required.

I usually pot on, in your case if growing to flowering size in a pot I'd recommend up to 12 inches this year, then a big pot on next year followed by masses of tomato food late next summer.

To me they are ideal for mild westerly areas, where it doesn't get too cold in winter and not too dry in summer.
I just persist because they are spectacular in flower, I overwinter most years outside but have had a few disasters over the years.
I've got one in flower now which has spent it's entire life in an 8 in pot, until I planted it out in April, and the flowerstalk is four ft at least.
They just grow to whatever conditions you give them.

 

Thanks both. Going to sow the seed tomorrow so something happens. I, nowadays tend to stick to really hardy easy plants having "done" the "oh I'll be clever and try to grow something tricky!" with varying degrees of success but having been given the seeds as a gift I'd better try and give these amazing plants a go.