[no subject]

Until three weeks ago there was a gorgeous Echium piniana thriving in my garden. My soil is clay, and the plant, with its skirt of dry leaves, had been growing for one year. Suddenly, three weeks ago, its pouf of green leaves collapsed. The four foot tall, thick trunked marvel, died. I left it in the garden until today, thinking that it might resurrect itself. All remnants of life were gone, so I dig it out. Ugh. The roots were a rotted ugly mess.

I have a friend here in Southern California who also tried to grow this stately Echium. She has sandy soil. Her two plants collapsed after about a year. Another friend, who designs and installs garden, planted the Echium in a clients garden, where it died almost immediately.

I've only seen Echium piniana growing in Mendocino, CA. Maybe, here in Southern California the weather is not damp enough or, maybe, I should have removed the dead leaves. I thought they would protect the hefty trunk. I'm mystified. I want to try again, but would like to avoid sudden plant death.

Does anyone have any idea what we're all doing wrong. Could this Echium dislike Southern Californians. Please help.

Ellen Hoffs
Santa Monica, CA

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