Echium Blue Bedder

Echium Blue Bedder has spikes of exquisite, butterfly & bee-friendly blue flowers that become tinged with pink as they age. These upward facing bell shaped flowers blooms continuously throughout summer. Ideal for pollinators (RHS listed) & an AGM winner. Sow March to May or in August/September.

Height to 40cm (spread 30cm)

Annual

Price for 100 seeds

SOW: either March to May or in August/September: direct where they are to flower by scattering thinly, cover lightly and water regularly until they are established or in trays (cover to 5mm depth), germination takes 6-8 weeks. When large enough to handle pot up and grow on before planting out at 30cm spacing

GROW: prefer to be in full sun – perfect for growing in a wildlife garden or mini-meadow, but is also suitable for growing at the front of a sunny border. The nectar rich flowers make this plant popular with butterflies, bees and other pollinators.

ENJOY:

WILDLIFE

• Honeybees & Mason Bees (solitary bees that can be encouraged to nest in an insect hotel)
• Bumble bees look out for Buff-tailed and Red-tailed
• Butterflies, particularly Painted Lady, from the desert fringes of North Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia
• Echium Blue Bedder is on the RHS pollinators plant list. 

CUT FLOWER

• this blooms for months and makes a great cut flower – be careful as the sap can be a skin irritant.
• May - September, 12-14 weeks from spring sowing
• Seed can be collected in September/October.
• Deadhead regularly to extend flowering and encourage further blooms

COMPOST

• After flowering pull plants and compost, leave a few to self-seed if you prefer for a natural spread the following year