{"product_id":"echium-candicans-pride-of-madeira","title":"Echium candicans Pride of Madeira","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEchium candicans\u003c\/em\u003e, commonly known as Pride of Madeira, is a striking evergreen flowering shrub valued for its dramatic spires of deep blue-violet flowers, soft silver-grey foliage and exceptional performance in tough coastal and Mediterranean-style gardens. Each spring the plant produces dense conical flower spikes that can reach 30 to 60 cm in length, smothered in tiny purple flowers that draw bees and beneficial insects in remarkable numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the laurel forests and rocky coastal cliffs of Madeira, Echium candicans thrives in full sun, free-draining soil and exposed positions. It is highly drought tolerant once established, handles salt-laden winds without flinching, and is frost tolerant down to around -5°C in established plants. The combination of soft silver foliage, architectural form and exuberant blue flowering makes it one of the most distinctive feature shrubs for coastal, Mediterranean and modern gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an evergreen flowering shrub for coastal, Mediterranean, modern and wildlife-friendly gardens, Echium candicans brings dramatic seasonal colour, year-round soft silver foliage, exceptional drought and salt tolerance, and outstanding value to bees, butterflies and beneficial insects through its long spring flowering display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin:44px 0 16px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14px;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:1.5px;margin:0 0 8px;padding-top:32px;border-top:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);text-transform:uppercase;color:currentColor;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 24px;color:currentColor;opacity:0.65;font-size:14px;font-style:italic;\"\u003eAbout Echium candicans Pride of Madeira\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eHow big does Echium candicans grow?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eEchium candicans grows to a mature size of 1.5 to 2.5 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide, forming a substantial rounded shrub. Growth is fast once established, with plants reaching mature size within 3 to 4 seasons in suitable conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eWhen does Pride of Madeira flower?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003ePride of Madeira flowers through spring into early summer, producing dramatic upright conical spikes of small purple-blue flowers that can reach 30 to 60 cm in length. The display lasts six to eight weeks and is one of the most magnetic plants for bees, butterflies and beneficial insects in the garden calendar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eWhere does Echium candicans grow best?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eEchium candicans thrives in full sun and free-draining soil. It performs exceptionally well in coastal gardens, exposed positions and Mediterranean-style landscapes, and handles dry rocky soils with ease. It is sensitive to wet feet, so avoid heavy clay or persistently moist positions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eIs Echium candicans drought tolerant?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eYes. Echium candicans is exceptionally drought tolerant once established, reflecting its origins on the dry rocky cliffs of Madeira. Through the first season it benefits from regular watering to settle in, after which it performs reliably on natural rainfall in most Australian climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eIs it good for bees and wildlife?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eEchium candicans is one of the most valuable bee plants you can grow, often described as a magnet for pollinators in flower. The long spring flowering period provides a critical nectar source for honeybees and native bees, and the dense foliage offers shelter for small birds and beneficial insects year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eIs Echium candicans coastal tolerant?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eYes. Echium candicans is exceptionally coastal tolerant and handles salt-laden winds, sandy soils and exposed seaside positions with ease. It is one of the best feature shrubs for direct coastal frontage where many other flowering plants struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eHow do I prune Pride of Madeira?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003ePrune lightly after flowering by removing spent flower spikes and any leggy growth to maintain a compact rounded form. Avoid hard pruning into old wood as Echium candicans can struggle to regenerate from bare stems. Light annual shaping is the best long-term approach.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eHow long does Echium candicans live?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eEchium candicans typically lives for 5 to 8 years as a feature shrub, with peak flowering displays from years 2 to 6. In favourable coastal conditions plants can live longer. It is best treated as a medium-lived feature rather than a long-term structural shrub, and can be easily replaced or rejuvenated through fresh planting every several years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Evergreen Trees Direct","offers":[{"title":"30cm","offer_id":46619269497031,"sku":"ECHCAN30","price":90.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.evergreentrees.com.au\/products\/echium-candicans-pride-of-madeira","provider":"Evergreen Trees Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}