EEchium candicans 'Starburst' (Starbusrt Pride of Madeira) - A densely growing large evergreen with an odd variegation having long, gray-green leaves with pale green mottling through the center of the leaf. The leaves are held at the ends of the branches on this evergreen shrub that can grow to 6 feet tall by 6 to 8 feet wide. Large stalks of small clear blue flowers bloom in the spring on into the summer.
Plant in full or part day sun where it is drought tolerant and hardy to short duration temperatures down to about 25 degrees F. It is a good plant for seaside gardens.
This plant is a spontaneous mutation that burst forth at San Marcos Growers from Echium 'Star of Madeira', a plant introduced by Paintbox Plantsman that we first began growing in 2004. It appears similar to another sport from 'Star of Madeira' that was named 'Death Star'.
As the common name Pride of Madeira implies, this species comes from and is endemic to the island of Madeira, where it grows on rocky cliffs and terraces between 2,500 and 4,600 feet in the Central Mountain Massif. The genus name is from an ancient Greek word for the plant. It is derived from 'echion' with the root word 'echis' meaning "viper" but the reason for this has several interpretations. Included among these are the shape of the seed resembling that of a viper's head and from the age-old belief that Echium vulgare, a plant called Viper's Bugloss, was a remedy for the adder's bite. For more information on the species see our listing for called Echium candicans.
The information about Echium candicans 'Starburst' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |