Description
Echium virescens (Echium fastuosum) | Silver Pink Pride of Madeira
Silver Pink Pride of Madeira, also known as Grünlicher Natternkopf in German, and Taginaste azul de Tenerife in Spanish, comes from Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, comes this rare and interesting Echium, where it grows in forests and on lower south slopes of the island.
It’s a semi-evergreen branched, perennial shrub that forms a dense mound of bristly, grey-green foliage followed in early spring by a multitude of light pink-blushed white to light-blue flowers held in beautiful, upright spikes. The sepals of the flowers are fused at the base. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Easy and fast growing, Echium virescens grows well with sun and regular to low water. Will grow in average, rich and well-drained soil. Does not like overly wet roots during any season. Tolerates frost well and individual plants have been known to survive for over twenty years in-ground! A great plant if you’re looking for something heat tolerant.
Cold hardy to about the same temperature as the Giant Echiums, around 25 F. With protection like insulation and/or heat, plants can go lower.
Best to start seeds indoor with heat, humidity, and light, although they will germinate outdoors when temperatures are warm enough.
Beautiful to look at, but not to touch because the leaves and stalks are armed with sharp hairs like most Echium species.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 5-6 ft
Mature width- 4-5 ft
Hardiness zones: 9b-11
