Pride of Madeira
Echium candicans · Boraginaceae
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⚠️ Feuilles toxiques : dermatite de contact et troubles digestifs par ingestion chez animaux et enfants. Sève irritante.
The gardener's calendar
Pride of madeira is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Echium candicans
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Form
- Shrub
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- June to September
- Adult height
- Approximately 2.5 m
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mediterranean zones, frost-tender
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Blue Echium needs space to breathe and very well-drained, almost poor soil. If you overfeed it, you'll get leaves at the expense of flowers; let it fend for itself once established.
The common mistake
People water and fertilize it like a regular plant, which kills flowering and causes rot and weakness.
The pro's trick
Each spring, pinch off the tips of young stems: this multiplies flowering branches and creates a more compact shape.
Care
Exposure
Echium candicans requires full sun exposure for generous and vigorous flowering. This Mediterranean plant dislikes shade and stagnant moisture. Position it in a well-ventilated spot, protected from cold winds if you live in a cold region.
Watering
Once established, Madeira's viper's bugloss is very water-economical. Water regularly during the first year to encourage rooting, then gradually space out watering. In dry regions, monthly watering is sufficient; let the soil dry between irrigations to prevent root rot.
Soil
This plant thrives in very well-drained soil, even poor or rocky. Avoid compact and damp soils. A light substrate composed of ordinary soil mixed with sand or gravel works perfectly. Soil amendment is generally unnecessary.
Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering (autumn) to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Remove dead or damaged branches in spring. Severe pruning can weaken the plant; prefer gentle and regular intervention.
Fertilizing
Echium candicans needs only moderate fertilizer. A balanced, very dilute fertilizer (or formulated for perennials) in early spring is quite sufficient. Overly rich soil promotes foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pests and diseases
This plant is highly resistant to diseases and pests. Excess moisture is its main enemy: it can cause root rot. Ensure excellent drainage and provide good air circulation at the base of the shrub to prevent any fungal problems.
Did you know?
Originating from Madeira and the Canary Islands, Echium candicans has become an emblematic plant of the Mediterranean basin. Its spikes of blue-violet flowers irresistibly attract bees and butterflies. Its Latin name, Echium, derives from the Greek 'echis' meaning viper, referring to the shape of its flowers which supposedly resembles the head of this reptile.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- BorageBorago officinalis
- Siberian buglossBrunnera macrophylla
- Purple gromwellGlandora diffusa
- Viper's buglossEchium vulgare
- ComfreySymphytum officinale
- Water forget-me-notMyosotis scorpioides
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.