An "Ikey" as they are known locally but they are an Echium.

• 17 Oct, 2010
• 4 likes

A plant that thrives down here and on the Isles of Scilly, they take roughly three years to come to flower and then die but in that one year they spread hundreds of seeds over a large area. they are beautiful when in full flower and can grow the flower spike to about 15ft BUT a word of warning if seedlings are found on the edges of a tarmac drive then take them out as they will lift it and cause a problem for repair. At the moment I have about a dozen growing in different parts of the garden but do not like intense frost as two years ago we lost all of them, if you want to keep them they must need some protection.