RE: Echium Problems

Spectacular Tower of Jewels specimens in Mendocino, California, lured me into
purchasing one about ten years ago.  At first, it was beautiful, growing just
the right size.  The second year it put out gorgeous blooms and we were happy.
Then it got woody and huge and spiny and trimming it didn't help at all.  Since
our backyard isn't very large, we pulled it.  I agree with Andy that it belongs
in a large and wild landscape.  And I can continue to admire their sculptural
and Seuss-ish qualities there.

Cheers,
Bracey
San Jose CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Mariani [a*@mindspring.com]
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 11:35 AM
To: medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
Subject: Echium Problems


I cultivate several species of Echium in my garden, including E.
candicans (E. fastuosum), E. handiensis, E. pininana, E. wildpretii, and
what appears to be hybrids between the two latter species.   From a
strictly design standpoint,  I find them  fascinating  plants with
stunning colors and striking sculptural quality.  The towering forms are
dramatically statuesque,  like the spires of Gaudi's unfinished
cathedral in Barcelona, and the rambling branched forms are a source of
intense winter color displaying an  iridescent pallette of analogous
shades/tints of blue, purple and mauve.

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