For Roda’s Critter Connection Challenge.
Whilst sorting photos I found this taken last summer of a bumblebee on Echium wildpretii. I figured it was nice to post a memory of a warm sunny day.
These tall Echiums from the Canary Islands are on the edge of being growable here. They will not tolerate much frost but they also hate too much wet. The larger Echium pininana is frequently seen in coastal gardens in the western UK where frosts are rare. This Echium wildpretii is smaller than E. pininana (around 6 feet – E. pininana can be double this) and reputedly more tender. It only survived even a very mild winter because we covered it carefully in the autumn.
Both species are fantastic plants for attracting bees to the garden!
Sadly these plants die after flowering but seed can be saved to start again.
The Arty Plantsman 
Absolutely gorgeous. Funny they don’t like wet weather but they grow in England. I don’t know how it is even possible. Love that attract bees too. We need to look after those little guys. They are so important. Thanks for the wonderful post my friend. xoxo Cris
https://photosbycris.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/gamiss-in-rainbow-beach-and-noosa.html
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Thank you Cris. They only barely grow in England – and even then need some protection in wet winters! Thanks for your lovely comment. Dx
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wow, beautiful!
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I want those in my garden! We had temps in the 40s yesterday, so I spent the day pruning apple trees. Today, I woke up to snow. Blah! I have been using the snowy days to paint hives and start lots of seedlings!
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We are alternating between rainy and frost days. Had gales on sunday night and lost a few fence panels but no other damage. Roll on spring!!!
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Agreed! It is a balmy 17 degrees here today. Grumble, grumble!
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I knew you would say that! I was about to tell Darren that you’ll want them for your bees… But of course he already knew that. 💕
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Wow! Lovely to see an Echium in full bloom. I have only ever seen them in photos, despite supposedly having a climate they like. I have tried to grow them with no success. Maybe I will try again!
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I keep trying with the bigger one – E.pininana but it really hates our wet late summers and just rots away 😦
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Beautful photos!
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Thank you 😀💕
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How beautiful 💞
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Thank you😊💕
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What’s that you say? The E. pininana gets around 6 feet! Well, I don’t know anything about botany, but it looks like a very peculiar plant… It should be called a tree!!! 😉 Really like the delicate pink flowers it produce. Beautiful pictures as always.
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Thank you Dominique😊💕
E. pininana does have a woody stem so tree is not wrong! It grows really well at Logan botanic gardens on the west coast if Scotland and I have seen it reach 12 to 15 feet there! With a cloud of bees around it😉💕
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I love that shot with the bumblebee! Thank you for reminding us of those warm summer days, Darren! 😊😍
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Thank you for your lovely comment Sarah. Nice to be reminded that the sun will come back😄❤
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So gorgeous!
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Thank you Lisa😄
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