Echium Species, Red Mount Teide Bugloss, Tower of Jewels
Echium wildpretii
Family: | Boraginaceae |
Genus: | Echium (EK-ee-um) (Info) |
Species: | wildpretii (wild-PRET-ee-eye) (Info) |
Category:
Biennials
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Herbaceous
This plant is resistant to deer
Foliage Color:
Orange/Apricot
Height:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Red
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
This plant is monocarpic
Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Anthem, Arizona
Apple Valley, California
Arcata, California
Arroyo Grande, California
Benicia, California
Brentwood, California
Calistoga, California
Clayton, California
Concord, California
Davis, California
Emerald Lake Hills, California
Encinitas, California
Fairfield, California
Ferndale, California
Fremont, California
Granite Bay, California
Hayward, California
Jamul, California
Lompoc, California
Mckinleyville, California
Mission Viejo, California
Moss Beach, California
North Highlands, California
Reseda, California
Richmond, California
San Jose, California
San Leandro, California
San Marino, California
Santa Clara, California
Sebastopol, California
Stockton, California(2 reports)
Sutter Creek, California
Vista, California(9 reports)
Winters, California
Woodside, California
Yorba Linda, California
Wailuku, Hawaii
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Austin, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
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Positive | On Apr 12, 2016, drpotato from Yorba Linda, CA wrote: I got two of these from my local arboretum, and I planted with some succulents to add a bit of height. One stayed small and sent up a 2 foot high stalk of flowers the year after I planted it. The other sent up an 8 foot high stalk of flowers. |
Positive | On Dec 2, 2014, Domehomedee from Arroyo Grande, CA (Zone 9a) wrote: I guess that's why they call it "beginners luck". I did transplant seedlings with success and even put in two that had outgrown gallon pots in the ground with success. The two larger ones I transplanted didn't bloom this year as they were supposed to, they are still alive and doing fine, I'm hoping for blooms next year. I think I'll pick some place and toss out some of these extra seeds, although I am hoping for a few volunteers next spring. Maybe the trick is growing them in jiffy pots so you don't have to disturb them, just plant them pot and all. |
Positive | On May 1, 2013, dserrano77 from Chapel Hill, NC wrote: Last year I got one from Annie's annuals on a lark. We had a relatively mild winter in Chapel Hill, NC (zone 7/8 boundary), but there were several weeks with lows in the low 20s F / highs in the 30s-40s F and plenty of winter moisture. There were also a few nights that dipped into the upper teens. The plant made it through the winter unscathed and is preparing to flower. I suspect that if positioned properly this plant is hardier than commonly thought. |
Positive | On May 3, 2012, All_Is_HIS from Stockton, CA wrote: I spent a lot of time researching this plant to find out it's name and orgin. We have 2 plants over 9 ft tall and they are certainly amazing. They almost look like something out of a fairytale book. Upon my research (not knowing anything about this plant) we grew by seedling and amazingly sprouted these 2 plants. I took pictures and sent them to various nurserys and bingo we got a hit and we were told they were called echium wildpretii, "tower of jewels". They attract bees lot's of them- after reading these post we will save the seeds and try to grow more, lot's more. They began to flower around March temperature around 60's to 70's full sun. These plants are a sight to see and neighbors have come over to inquire of them and of course the name fits well "tower of jewels"! |
Positive | On Feb 28, 2012, IRC from Concord, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: First time I grew this plant it was a volunteer from some nursery dirt I picked up. I was going to pull it but decided to see what it would turn into. Glad I did. It ended up being just over 10' tall and covered in flowers. It attracted both bees and hummingbirds however the hummingbirds didn't spend much time at the plant because it seemed like the bees kept annoying them. There were so many bees that at times we could hear them buzzing around the plant from inside the house with the windows shut. I did not water it during its lifecycle and it didn't seem to be affected by any pests. A wonderful carefree plant. I've grown it every year since in various places in my yard with great results. Seems to do well in all soils, with and without watering though it does seem to grow taller in more ... read more |
Neutral | On Oct 28, 2011, echiumfan from Matthews, NC (Zone 7b) wrote: Zone 7b |
Positive | On Jul 25, 2009, MEHGardener from Spokane, WA wrote: My dad grew this plant in Redwood City, CA in the Sixties. It was a traffic stopper. Thousands of seeds were produced -- they grew into beautiful, tall biennual plants. J. Hudson Seedsman, in Redwood City, carries the seeds. I tried them a few years ago here in Spokane, WA and got nothing. I may try again as they are just gorgeous. Try eremurus lilies in the north if you want something similiar that will survive colder weather. It's not the same but they too are lovely! |
Positive | On Jul 3, 2007, birdgrrl from North Highlands (Sacto), CA (Zone 9a) wrote: I started these from seed early summer of last year. The ones I planted out died in the killer frost even with mulch. The smaller ones in pots lived on the patio (covered nightly) over the winter and were planted out in mid-March this year. They have branched out and spread into 3' X 3' plants, but have not flowered yet. I started them last year knowing they were biennials. I grew one about 8 years ago, but it did not branch out; just grew straight up. The stalks have to be staked well or they fall over. People stopped in the street to look at it. Words cannot describe how beautiful it is. It makes tons of seeds, and they were easy to start. When it blooms, I will send a pic. |
Positive | On May 5, 2005, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: This is an amazing plant when it finally flowers (guess that happens every other year)- I have seen these grey, tall, weird plants at the Huntington gardens for several years... most have fallen over by this time of the year, but this time they finally flowered. Amazing. Grown in the drought tolerant garden, I assume these plants are extremely drought tolerant. |