Re: Echiums

Hi Ellen,

I'm embarrassed to say that I no longer remember where I obtained the first
Echium pininana. Most likely I dug up someone's little seedling. I've grown
them for many years and have never had one rot. I don't believe I prepared
the soil at all. 

 I live on the Palos Verdes Peninsula where the soil is very different from
that in Santa Monica.  I have heavy black adobe  over diatomaceous earth.
My plants grow on a north-facing slope shaded in the winter by my house at
the top of the slope.  Consequently, the plants there are in sodden shade
for all of the winter months plus part of other seasons, so my summer-dry
garden is in a situation where the soil holds the water for a long time. I
am wondering if your plants and those of your friends have grown slowly
because they want more water. I did not succeed with E. wildprettii and I'm
pretty sure it was because of lack of water.

 I doubt if buying yours in Northern California would make the difference,
though it is possible they were pot-bound. It may be that they are the type
of plant with a long tap root which transplants best if it is moved as a
small seedling. I have given little ones to friends with no problems. I will
look and see if I have a seedling, and if so you are welcome to it if you
are willing to make the long, tedious drive to my house.  Unfortunately I've
already discarded quite a few, but there might be more.  How have you done
with Echium fastuosum, if you have tried it?

Best wishes, Cathy

> From: "emhoffs" <emhoffs@ucla.edu>
> Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 09:21:22 -0800
> To: <catherineratner@earthlink.net>
> Subject: Re: Echiums
> 
> Several years ago I asked if anyone was growing Echium pininiana in Southern
> California.  I had tried two different plants (bought in Northern
> California) in my dry garden.  One rotted, the next grew so slowly that I
> pulled it out. Friends had similar experiences.  This is a beautiful plant
> that I'd like to grow.  Could you tell me where your plant is growing and if
> you've prepared the soil in any special way.  Also, did you buy the pininana
> here in Southern California.  Maybe that makes a difference.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Ellen Hoffs
> Santa Monica, CA
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Catherine Ratner" <catherineratner@earthlink.net>
> To: "medit-plants" <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
> Sent: Friday, March 18, 2005 2:15 PM
> Subject: Echiums
> 
> 
>> Echium pininana (species spelling from "Wild Flowers of the Canary
>> Islands"
>> by David and Zoe Bramwell) is listed in that book as a short-lived
>> perennial
>> but is always a biennial for me.  It seeds readily but not too much, and
>> so
>> I just pull out the ones that aren't in the places I desire.  It certainly
>> makes a "vertical statement" as it is only about two feet wide and ten
>> feet
>> tall.  The flowers are not as showy as in E. fastuosum, being more widely
>> dispersed and a sort of washed out blue.
>> 
>> Cathy Ratner, Sunset zone 24, national zone 10.
>> 
>
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