Echium candicans, often called Pride of Madeira, is a spectacular perennial shrub known for its towering spikes of violet-blue flowers that appear in late spring and summer. Native to the island of Madeira, off the coast of Portugal, it has adapted beautifully to many climates around the world and is especially suited to coastal and dry gardens.

This plant forms a large, dome-shaped shrub with silvery-green foliage, reaching 1.5 to 2.5 metres high and wide. When in bloom, it produces dense conical flower spikes that can grow up to 60 cm long, covered in hundreds of tiny blue-purple blossoms that are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. It makes an excellent feature plant, perfect for adding colour and drama to sunny garden beds and borders.

The nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for beneficial insects and provide food for pollinators throughout their long flowering season. This is a hardy and low-maintenance shrub, thriving in full sun and well-drained soils. It is drought tolerant once established, making it ideal for water-wise and coastal gardens. It also copes well with wind and salt spray, which is why it is often seen thriving along seaside cliffs and coastal towns.

How to Grow From Seed:

Sow seeds in spring or autumn in a tray of well-draining seed-raising mix.

Scatter lightly and cover with a very thin layer of soil or vermiculite, as light helps with germination.

Keep the soil just moist until seedlings emerge, which usually takes 2–3 weeks.

Transplant seedlings into pots once large enough to handle, and then move them into the garden in a sunny, open position with free-draining soil.

Space plants about 1.5–2 metres apart to allow them room to spread.

Once established, they require little care apart from an occasional trim after flowering to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth.