Echium red feathers

Return to the Perennials Forum | Post a Follow-Up

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by miclino 6 MI (My Page) on

Wed, Jul 11, 12 at 23:37

Saw this plant at a local nursery. Wondering if anyone had tried this out and it was one of those that needed exceptional drainage?

http://www.greengatefarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=325&typeID=

Follow-Up Postings:

RE: Echium red feathers

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by wieslaw59 Denmark (My Page) on
Thu, Jul 12, 12 at 4:52

I have tried this out, propagated it by seeds. The colour ranges from dark red to red-purplish. There is much variation how well the individual plants stand up and how tall they are. With me it grows in ordinary soil. In some sources described as biannual, it is actually perennial, but not all specimens are particularly long lived, much variation here.

RE: Echium red feathers

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by wieslaw59 Correction (My Page) on
Thu, Jul 12, 12 at 16:06

I have a correction. I have mixed up Echium amoenum with Echium russicum. Sorry!

RE: Echium red feathers

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by miclino 5 (My Page) on
Thu, Jul 12, 12 at 22:25

No problem. It's supposed to be long blooming but I have also read that it may be a biennial and it's not cheap

RE: Echium red feathers

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by wieslaw59 none (My Page) on
Fri, Jul 13, 12 at 8:00

Actually , the site to which you've supplied the address, may have 'messed up' the things. According to some scientific sources, E.amoenum is an annual and is blue. Echium russicum on the other head is in the 'reddish range' and is perennial. You can ask them how sure they are in their nomenclature. Contrary to what some texts say, I have never seen the red to be 'rusty'. Some plants tend towards the 'violet side of the red', some are washed up pinkish red, never 'rusty'.

RE: Echium red feathers

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by brody z7 WA (My Page) on
Sat, Jul 14, 12 at 4:36

I've grown Echium russicum before, identical to the photo in the link you posted, but taller. They liked full, hot sun and excellent drainage. Not long lived, 2 or 3 years tops, at least here, but easy from seed. Frankly, I wouldn't grow it again. The plants are nothing to look at when not in bloom and the flowers are too dark and dull to show up well unless they have a light background, as in the photo.

RE: Echium red feathers

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by miclino 5 (My Page) on
Sat, Jul 14, 12 at 10:07

Thanks for the info, I think I'll skip this one

RE: Echium red feathers

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by Suzapruner 5a (My Page) on
Sun, Jun 16, 13 at 22:15

How sad to pass this beauty up. It thrives in rock gardens with little care. Loves sun and will bloom repeatedly with deadheading - comes back quickly. Leave last bloom stalks for biennial reseeding. Yes, there ARE some that are rusty, but most fade to reddish tones. They are just gorgeous! The flowers get noticed since they resemble stalks such as found on tall veronicas only much bigger.

RE: Echium red feathers

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by Gyr_Falcon Sunset 23 USDA 9 (My Page) on
Mon, Jun 17, 13 at 0:27

Not long lived is correct. I planted one for the first time last fall. About five months later I forgot and pulled it up as a healthy-growing weed. Two days later I realized what I had done. Another gardening oops for the journal; probably why I don't keep a journal. ;)

RE: Echium red feathers

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by aseedisapromise z4.5 SD (My Page) on
Mon, Jun 17, 13 at 8:52

This is not a show stopper plant, but it is nice. Tolerant of clay, xeric, useful in a xeriscape where there aren't so many red plants. Supposed to be long blooming if deadheaded. I don't think I would buy one in bloom, but I did buy a rosette last year, and it is blooming now. If it reseeds, that is fine with me. Seems to me no site is clear on the nomenclature, though. All list it as amoena.

Post a Follow-Up

Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum.

If you are a member, please log in.

If you aren't yet a member, join now!

Return to the Perennials Forum

Information about Posting

You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
We have a strict no-advertising policy!
If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.