Care of the plant Echium webbii or Blue bugloss |
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The genus Echium, family Boraginaceae, comprises 60 species of herbaceous plants native to the Mediterranean region, the Canary Islands and Madeira. Some species are: Echium webbii, Echium fastuosum, Echium wildpretii, Echium lycopsis, Echium rubrum, Echium vulgare, Echium decaisnei, Echium creticum, Echium simplex, Echium callithyrsum, Echium hierrense. Common names: Blue bugloss, Blueweed echium, La Palma echium, Blue viper's bugloss. This species is native to La Palma, Canary Islands. They are biannual plants with a branched bushy bearing that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height. They have hairy lanceolate leaves and grayish-green color. The long cylindrical inflorescences are full of attractive blue flowers. They can bloom from late spring to mid-summer. These plants are ideal to form groups next to bushes, in borders, as isolated specimens and in pots for patios and terraces. Echium webbii can grow in full sun or semi-shade exposures. They resist occasional low intensity frosts. The soil can be a mixture of garden substrate with leaf mulch or with compost and coarse siliceous sand. Transplantation or planting is done in late winter. Water regularly with little water, waiting for the substrate to dry: water twice a week in spring and autumn, once a week in winter and 3 times a week in summer. Fertilize once a month with liquid mineral fertilizer from early spring to late summer. They do not need pruning. They are plants very resistant to pests and diseases but sensitive to excess watering. They propagate by seeds sown in spring in the nursery, keeping the substrate moist but without flooding. |
Images of the plant Echium webbii or Blue bugloss |
 Echium webbii  Echium webbii  Echium webbii |