Huge, stately, bold biennial that we kind of consider the king of all biennials. The first season it forms a huge rosette of thin silver foliage. Showy in its own right. If we have a mild winter (above 15ºF) the whole plant soars to 6′ tall the second year and is a tower of red/purple borage flowers. Pollinators lose their little collecting minds and even hummers show up. Not entirely hardy but we think its such an incredible foliage plant in its first year that is is definitely worth the risk. Following bloom it sets seed- man does it set seed and seedling will appear all over the garden. They are easy to identify- rosettes of thin leaves with a sandpapery texture. You can move them or mass them for a cool effect. Rich to average, well drained soil with light summer water. Full sun and position out of high winds which can topple the plant in its blooming stage. Excellent performance at the Oregon Coast. Native to the Canary Islands.
Genus: Echium
Echium russicum
Cold hardy member of a mostly tender genus. This native of the Ukrainian steppes sends up a 30″ spike of rose red flowers in mid summer. Excellent to include in meadows, with ornamental grasses in nearly any soil that is not boggy. Full sun. Loved by pollinators. Spike rises from a low basal rosette of leaves. Lifespan 3-5 years.. Reseeds reliably. Very light summer water.