Pride of Madeira ( Echium candicans ) is a perennial flower that is native to the tropical island of Madeira, west of northern Africa. This spectacular plant is fast growing, low-maintenance and during its second summer produces long, conical flower spikes that are covered in stunning purple/blue clusters.
Suitable for Temperate, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Echium candicans is a popular ornamental that brings many beneficial insects into the garden. The plant can handle light frosts, dry periods and tolerates a little bit of shade. Many gardeners take full advantage of the beautiful flowers by planting them as hedges or as garden borders where they can easily catch the eye.
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Growth
Echium candicans is a biennial sometimes perennial herbaceous flower that grows to a maximum height of 1.8 metres (6 feet) but spreads wider at up to 3 metres (10 feet). Depending on the climatic conditions this species can grow as a biennial in coastal regions but can behave as a perennial when grown inland. Regardless of location, the Pride of Madeira won’t produce flowers until its second full growing season and will not fully develop if temperatures remain consistently below 10°C/50°F.
The plant grows long, greyish/green leaves and then stunning long spires of bluish/purple flowers from late Spring and throughout the Summer. To get the full appreciation, Pride of Madeira requires plenty of space in the garden given they can grow so wide.
During summer they do not require much watering or maintenance, though removing flower heads as they wilt will encourage compact growth and prevent excessive self-seeding.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Boraginaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Sub Tropical, Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5 to 45°C / 25 to 112°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil should be well draining, loosened maybe even a bit sandy.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 1.8 metres (6 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 3 metres (10 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial, Biennial, Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light. Once established a quite drought hardy.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by bees, birds and butterflies.
MATURITY:
Blooms produced in 18-24 months.
GERMINATION RATES:
77-91%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-3 weeks.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 250
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL
Yes, has invasive qualities. Related species Echium plantagineum is considered a serial invasive species in the Victoria and New South Wales in Australia.
FACTS ABOUT ECHIUM CANDICANS
Echium candicans is native only to Madeira and is absent from all the other islands within the Canary Islands archipelago. It often grows at an altitude of about 800 to 1200 metres (2600 to 3500 feet) in the central part of the island.
The Latin epithet, ‘candicans’ is translated to ‘shining white’ which is the flower colour from another variation of the species but is clearly misnamed for this the Pride of Madeira.
Despite its beauty, the parts of the Pride of Madeira plant are toxic to both humans and animals.
