Pride of Madeira, Echium candicans, is perfect for adding a touch of drama to both exotic and cottage garden settings. Like all echiums, its flowers are adored by bees and other pollinators. Tall spikes of intense blue blooms are borne on strong branching stems in spring and summer. In milder climates, like Cornwall, it can grow into a small tree, and can self-seed readily.
Echium pininana is a stunning biennial plant from the Canary Islands. In its first year it forms a low rosette of silver, hairy, spear-like leaves, and then in the second year it sends up a huge spike loaded with small blue flowers. Again in milder regions it self-seeds readily.
And the bees just can’t get enough!
Cornwall in Colours 
I wonder if that is what is commonly known as bee bread here. It looks similar. Such a pretty colour.
I like the idea of bee bread!
From what I can gather it is Borage that is known as bee bread. Another plant the bees really like and I have several in my garden.
Love it, I had it in the NZ garden and it made a stunning displayed
They take up a lot of room though! My neighbour had one flowering a few years ago and I noticed yesterday that the rosette is forming so I expect a huge spike next year!
Mine was out on the roadside with plenty of room and it took it all up making a beautiful display
It seems to be everywhere this year. Good for the bees. 🐝🐝🐝
Fabulous plants! And they must be Heaven if you’re a bee. 🙂 How lucky to have them growing near your house – I fancy trying to grow them for the bees, not sure where I’d find space though!
There are a lot around this area, but you do need space!
I first saw it in NZ – amazing.
They are quite impressive plants
My, how excessively charming!
Thank you. It’s quite a statement.