Care of the plant Echium wildpretii or Tower of jewels |
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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 wildpretii, Echium webbii, Echium fastuosum, Echium lycopsis, Echium rubrum, Echium vulgare, Echium decaisnei, Echium creticum, Echium simplex, Echium callithyrsum, Echium hierrense. Common names: Tower of jewels, Red bugloss, Tenerife bugloss. It is an endemic species on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands. They are biannual herbaceous plants (they need 2 years to complete their biological cycle) that reach 3 meters (9.84 feet) in height when they bloom. They have a curious and interesting conical bearing. The leaves, linear-lanceolate in shape, arise in rosettes and are 30 cm (11.8") long. The most interesting thing is its large conical inflorescence covered with red or pink flowers that can turn bluish; they bloom from late spring to early summer in their second year of life. The flowers are melliferous and attract bees and butterflies. Even when the plant dies and dries it can be decorative. They are used as isolated specimens, in small groups and to add color notes to the lawn. Echium wildpretii needs full sun exposure and high temperatures. They do not resist frost. They need the soil to be well drained; they can grow in stony and poor substrates but they appreciate that it contains organic matter. They resist drought quite well; water moderately waiting for the substrate to dry. They do not need pruning or fertilizers. They are plants resistant to the wind and the usual pests and diseases; they are sensitive to excess moisture. They propagate by seeds sown in spring in a sandy and slightly humid substrate. |
Images of the plant Echium wildpretii or Tower of jewels |
 Echium wildpretii  Echium wildpretii  Echium wildpretii  Echium wildpretii  Echium wildpretii  Echium wildpretii |