Tower of jewels (Echium wildpretii)
Echium wildpretii, or Tower of jewels, offers a stunning architectural focal point with coral-red to violet blooms in late spring/early summer.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Tower of jewels (Echium wildpretii) is a highly dramatic plant favored for its towering, multi-hued floral spire, making it a spectacular focal point in arid or xeriscape gardens. This biennial or short-lived perennial commands attention, first forming a large, silvery rosette before erupting with a spectacular bloom stalk. Gardeners are attracted to its architectural form and intense color display during the late spring months.
Native to the rocky, volcanic slopes of the Canary Islands, Echium wildpretii is inherently adapted to harsh, well-drained environments. It thrives best when provided with plentiful sunlight and requires minimal supplemental water once established, perfectly suiting dry climates within its hardiness range. While its tenure in a single spot is short, its dramatic bloom often leads to naturalized self-seeding in ideal locations.
For gardeners in suitable warm regions, the Tower of jewels offers reliable, large-scale impact with relatively straightforward care, provided moisture and soil quality are managed correctly. Its silvery foliage contrasts sharply with the vibrant coral-red to violet flowers, ensuring visual interest even before blooming commences. Incorporating Echium wildpretii into a dry garden design guarantees a unique, Mediterranean-inspired spectacle.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Boraginaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Canary Islands
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-6 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Coral red to violet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Echium wildpretii should occur when winter temperatures are reliably mild in USDA Zones 9-11, allowing the first-year rosette to establish fully before the heat of summer. Location is critical: this plant demands full sun and absolutely requires extremely well-drained soil, ideally light and dry, mimicking its native rocky, volcanic slopes. Avoid rich, high-organic content soils or any area prone to dampness, as this invariably leads to root failure.
Watering requirements for the Tower of jewels are minimal, especially after establishment. During the first year rosette phase, water sparingly, focusing on deep but infrequent saturation only when the top few inches of soil are dry. Once the bold flower stalk appears, maintain a dry to medium moisture regimen. This plant thrives in arid conditions and tolerates temperatures down to 25 degrees F, offering good drought resistance.
Maintenance is considered medium, primarily because of its biennial nature and specific soil needs. Do not fertilize heavily; rich soils should be avoided entirely. Pruning is generally unnecessary other than removing the spent flower stalk after the plant has finished setting seed, which signals the end of its life cycle. In suitable climates, Echium wildpretii will happily self-seed, ensuring continued displays of the magnificent flower towers in the following years.
Landscape Uses
The unparalleled vertical accent provided by the mature flower stalk makes Echium wildpretii an excellent choice for adding dramatic height contrast in sunny, dry locations. Use the Tower of jewels as a structural specimen plant, placed where its 5 to 6-foot spire can be viewed up close, contrasting against lower-growing, drought-tolerant perennials or succulents. It functions perfectly as a showy biennial centerpiece in large containers meant for patios or decks that receive intense southern exposure.
Because of its specific cultural needs—full sun and superb drainage—companion planting should focus on other xeric or Mediterranean-style species. Consider pairing Echium wildpretii plantings with lavender (Lavandula), creeping rosemary (Rosmarinus), ornamental grasses adapted to dry conditions, or various Sedums. These companions share the preference against rich, constantly moist garden beds.
For designs aiming for architectural interest in dry borders, the striking basal rosette of silver-green leaves provides year-round texture before the bloom erupts. Ensure that the plant’s final placement allows gardeners to appreciate the hundreds of densely-packed, funnel-shaped flowers that characterize the Tower of jewels.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Echium wildpretii, commonly known as tower of jewels or red bugloss, is a biennial or short-lived perennial that is native to volcanic slopes on Tenerife Island in the Canary Islands where it is commonly found at elevations of 4,200 to 6,500 feet. It grows as a basal rosette (to 2-3’ wide) of silvery linear-lanceolate leaves (each to 8” long) in the first year followed in the second year (but sometimes not until the third year) by a single, bold flower stalk rising from the leaf rosette to as much as 5-6’ tall topped by a three foot long cylindrical panicle containing hundreds of showy, rich, funnel-shaped, densely-packed, coral-red to violet flowers. Plants set seed after bloom and then die, though the species was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2002.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
This species presents no known serious insect or disease problems when grown in its preferred culture. The most common issue faced by gardeners growing Echium wildpretii is root rot caused by excessive moisture retention in the soil. Prevention centers entirely on cultivation: ensure the planting site allows for excellent, rapid drainage. If the plant fails to thrive or dies prematurely outside of its natural life cycle, check soil compaction and moisture levels before considering pest intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Tower of jewels suitable for?
The Tower of jewels is ideally suited for USDA Zones 9 through 11, where it can tolerate short dips in temperature down to 25 degrees F.
How large does Echium wildpretii grow?
This impressive plant typically reaches 3 to 6 feet in height when flowering, with a basal rosette spread ranging from 2 to 3 feet wide prior to sending up its central stalk.
What sun exposure does Echium wildpretii need?
Echium wildpretii requires full sun exposure to develop the strong structure necessary to support its tall flower stalk and produce vibrant blooms.
When does Tower of jewels bloom?
The spectacular bloom time for the Tower of jewels generally occurs from May to June, showcasing dense clusters of coral red to violet flowers.
Conclusion
The architectural presence and vibrant floral spire of Echium wildpretii make it an unforgettable addition to sunny, dry garden spaces. By respecting its strong preference for superb drainage and full sun, gardeners can successfully cultivate the dramatic Tower of jewels for a spectacular season-long show. Always ensure your chosen location mimics the arid slopes of its native Canary Islands before planting.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Echium wildpretii, prioritize plants that share its love for lean, dry, and well-drained conditions characteristic of Zone 9-11 xeriscaping. Plants from the Mediterranean family, which naturally resist drought and prefer lower fertility, work exceptionally well alongside the basal rosette of the Tower of jewels. This helps maintain the necessary sharp drainage crucial for the plant’s survival.
Consider using low-growing, spreading succulents or herbs that won’t compete heavily for water during the rosette stage. Varieties of Thyme or Sedum that look attractive when the tall flower spike is developing help anchor the base of the plant visually. Avoid thirsty annuals or moisture-loving perennials which would necessitate supplemental watering that could harm the Echium wildpretii.
Propagation Tips
Since Echium wildpretii is generally a biennial, gardeners rely on its prolific self-seeding capability or strategic seed saving for continuation. Allow the immense flower stalk to mature fully after blooming; the resulting nutlets (seeds) should be collected once they dry on the plant, typically in late summer or early fall. These seeds are best sown immediately in dry, gritty propagation mix.
If collecting seeds manually, be aware that the Tower of jewels often requires cooler temperatures to break dormancy, mimicking a winter period. Seeds sown in cool, slightly shaded conditions in autumn often germinate inconsistently over several months. For reliable results, start seeds indoors early in the year under lights, simulating the mild conditions the plant prefers before settling established seedlings into their permanent, sunny home once frost danger passes.
