Garden Wildlife UK

Been out with the tape just now. Managed to measure the echium, and is now 7ft 9ins.


It has started to flower.
Here are some of the first flowers.

Well well, what a surprise: cerise-coloured buds and papery white flowers !!
It's going to be very striking when all the buds pop, Willpar.

Thank you Placi. Flowers are supposed to be pink, will be interesting to see if they do actually get that colour.

Oh, I see. A bit of a chameleon - maybe

Measured the Echium again this morning. Is slowing down a bit now, but has reached 8ft 2in. Lots more flowers, but not seen any bees yet, or flies even.

On an' on an' on !! It's reminiscent of the old fable, Jack And The Wotsit, climbing forever.
Interesting that the topmost buds haven't opened yet - 'spect it's colder air up there.

Is certainly a sight to behold Placi. The lady over the lane has ones that colour also pink ones. Maybe as she saves some seedlings for the next time they are getting diluted.
But the blue ones I have will not flower until next year by the looks of it. But having said that, one plant has light green leaves with lighter veins on the underside, and the other has darker green leaves with red veins. And that one is growing side shoots. Not flower buds but shoots. I think that one will spread.

S-P-R-E-A-D ?!?!?!?!

I think you're right about 'next year', Willpar. Read somewhere that some of them don't flower until the third year.
It's a mysterious plant, all right and no mistake !!

Will be a long wait for the blue ones, so I hope it will be worth it. But I am intrigued with the red vein one to see what it turns out like.

Strewth What a monster