Quick, grab this deal before it (indi)-goes!

We’re offering you a You Garden 2 X 2L ‘Pride of Madeira’ Echium Candicans for £34.99, saving you 30% off You Garden’s price of £49.98 (correct as of 17.4.25).

Add Drama and Colour with Pride of Madeira

Echium candicans, or 'Pride of Madeira', is a robust evergreen shrub renowned for its towering indigo-blue flower spikes and striking architectural shape. Native to the island of Madeira, this biennial shrub brings Mediterranean flair to UK gardens and provides vital nectar for pollinators throughout the summer months.

Why Choose Echium Candicans?

• Spectacular Summer Blooms: From July, tall spires packed with blue-purple flowers rise above silvery foliage, adding height and vibrant colour to borders and containers.
• Biodiversity Booster: Its nectar-rich blooms attract bees and butterflies, helping support local wildlife.
• Tough & Reliable: Withstands wind, salt spray, drought, and cold down to -5°C—ideal for exposed or coastal spots.
• Self-Seeding Habit: Once established, plants freely self-seed for naturalised drifts over time.

Growing Guide

• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun—choose a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained, low-fertility soil. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged areas for best results.
• Pots & Borders: Suitable for large containers (ensure good drainage) or open ground in borders.
• Watering: Water regularly until established; drought-tolerant once mature but water during prolonged dry spells.
• Pruning: Remove spent flower spikes after blooming. Wear gloves as foliage may irritate skin.

Caring for Your Shrubs

• Planting Time: Plant outdoors after the risk of frost has passed (late spring).
• Shelter: Protect from severe spring frosts; best in sheltered south-facing positions.
• No Feeding Needed: Avoid rich fertilisers that promote leafy growth over flowers—Echium candicans thrives on neglect!

Create Striking Displays

Pride of Madeira pairs beautifully with Mediterranean plants such as lavender, rosemary, and ornamental grasses. Use as a focal point in gravel gardens, wildlife-friendly borders, or coastal schemes for maximum impact.

FAQs

• When is the best time to plant?
  The ideal time is after the last frost in late spring when soil has warmed up.
• How fast does it grow?
  Echium candicans grows rapidly—reaching around 1m in height in its first year and flowering from the second year onwards.
• What type of soil does it prefer?
  This plant thrives in well-drained, low-fertility soils and dislikes heavy clay or waterlogged ground. It’s ideal for sandy or gravelly sites.

If you’re wondering how to get started, this ‘Pride of Madeira’ arrives as an established plant in a 2L pot, roughly 40 - 70cm tall. Simply plant it in well-drained soil, and it’s good to go! During the summer, ensure it is well-watered, and by the following year, you’ll see stunning flower spikes. For colder areas, protecting the plant from frost is important, but with the right care, you can enjoy these magnificent blooms season after season.

Check out our other related deals: