Why is this plant so little known?

[steve_nova]

I wanted to post this here just to wave a flag as it were for our (British) Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare). I defy anyone to say that this blue is not the most electric that they have seen.

It self-seeds around my garden every year.

[Surreybirder]

You're lucky. Lovely photo; lovely plant! :t:
I think I'm right in saying that I saw it growing at Hauxley nature reserve which I guess is not far from you? But I don't remember seeing it anywhere else. Perhaps it likes the north-east particularly--and who can blame it!

[Gerry Hooper]

We saw lots at Lulworth Cove last (Dorset) last year, It looked like someone had spilt a pot of blue paint down the cliff.
Don't see a lot of it around here though.

[birdman]

Partnyorsha is much more of a botanist than I, and she pointed out some of this out while we were up in Northumbs.

Very different from the plant in my garden, which I believe you informed me was the Med. species, Steve?

[Andrew]

The shade of blue changes as you look up the flower.

[cjay]

very Good. I don't think it is one I have come across before, but I believe it grows in the brecks.

CJ

[Michael Frankis]

I've seen it quite a few places, usually on bare gravelly soil.

If you want to see some really interesting Echium spp., go to Tenerife, there's lots of species there, including the spectacular 2-3m tall E. wildpretii
http://ohric.ucdavis.edu/photos/fullsize/Echium_wildpretii1.jpg

Michael

[steve_nova]

I'd love to see that one day. When down in Cornwall a couple of years ago I obtained seed of the similar (but even taller) E. pinnatum. When I told a chap who was selling some plants down there he said (add the Cornish accent) "You be the luckiest man aloive if you can grow one of those up there boy" It currently stands about four feet in height with a rosette of long leaves and a thick trunk. I am expecting it to shoot up it's 8ft flower spike next year. When it does, be quite assured that I will send him a picture with the caption "I be the luckiest man aloive I be!"

[steve_nova]

Damn it! It died during the winter, sob!

[Nerine]

Nice photo. I have seen it growing on the Channel Island of Herm and also in Alderney. 6 Spot Burnet Moths were attracted to it. I took photos but this was a few years ago - will try and dig them out and see if they are worth posting.

Nerine

[steve_nova]

Thanks Nerine.
Incidently, Iv'e just noticed where you are and know why you are called Nerine! Nice name too.

[alan_rymer]

I wanted to post this here just to wave a flag as it were for our (British) Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare). I defy anyone to say that this blue is not the most electric that they have seen.

It self-seeds around my garden every year.Steve

Do you fancy sending your photo to John Somerville mail@british-wild-flowers.co.uk (mail@british-wild-flowers.co.uk) for inclusion on his http://www.british-wild-flowers.co.uk/#V site?.


Incidentally, I think I get that growing in my lawn later in the summer!

[steve_nova]

Hi Alan, I'll do that.

By the way, how long do you let your grass grow LOL!

[harry eales]

Steve

Do you fancy sending your photo to John Somerville mail@british-wild-flowers.co.uk (mail@british-wild-flowers.co.uk) for inclusion on his http://www.british-wild-flowers.co.uk/#V site?.


Incidentally, I think I get that growing in my lawn later in the summer!

Hello Alan,
This species is quite a common plant in central and eastern Durham and grows in many lawns, it tends to flower on very short stems on a lawn, seldom more than an inch or two high. I suppose the plants have some intelligence after all? lol.

I have several plants which are self sown growing in pots of larval foodplant in my back yard. I never remove them they're to lovely to look at.

As for other blue flowers, I think the only species which can beat this for colour in the Spring Gentian which grows in Upper Teesdale. But then not many have seen this.

Harry

[steve_nova]

Quite right Harry:t: