Will it flower this year?

DaveP, I have always fancied an Echium up here in Yorkshire, but our weather is not like yours. I could overwinter anything up to about 5 foot in a pot, if it was going to flower the next year (and then die) but I couldn't house one Pete's size.

Any suggestions of something that is either hardy, or can be overwintered at 5 ft or less?

 

I grew one in a pot a few years ago Peter, the pot keeps them smaller.
The flowering size would probably be too tall for a greenhouse but the actual plant before flowering would be less than 5ft.
As they only shoot up suddenly in the spring of the flowering year, they are quite possible to grow in pots.
I used a 12in pot, the bigger the better and the watering can be a problem in summer, but definitly worth a go.

 

Thanks Pete. Thats what I was thinking, overwinter it in a pot then plant it out and let it shoot up.

The answer to this and so many other queries is - give it a go.

 

There's a 'hedge of them growing along the roadside on my way to work. Although only about 7 miles inland, it is as cold there as almost anywhere else in the south so the plants are somewhat behind those here on the coast. I had a good look at them yesterday while waiting for a tractor to get out of the way. They are almost all at the same stage as yours and they are definitely into flowering mode.

Echium fastuosum is considerably less cold tolerant and needs to be pot grown with winter protection away from coastal areas. I could be wrong, but I seem to recall it's not reliable on the coast in Kent or Sussex even. Pity, because when it can be given enough square footage, it's a spectacular 'ground cover'.

 

Just got some Echium pininana wildpretii seeds off e-bay will pot grow them, tried some a couple of years ago forget which variety lost them to frost this winter unless there's a resurection about easter.

 

My E pininana looked OK until a couple of weeks ago but id looking pretty reggedy now as well Walnut. I'm just hoping it revives. I've got the white one as we neither of us particularly like blue.

 

Walnut try them at different places in the garden,if possible,rain lodged in the growing point can cause rot when it freezes, so sometimes a more exposed windier spot, can give better results, and they are worth the effort. I find them to be variable as to hardiness, mine are selfsown seedlings, some survive some dont, which to me makes that point.

 

Thanks Pete will do that, probably keep a couple in pots the first year and overwinter them in the poly.