Viper's Bugloss (Echium Plantagineum Blue Bedder) - If you want a plant that is rich in nectar and that attracts beneficial insects, start Echium seeds and marvel at how well-loved these plants are. Commonly called Viper's Bugloss, Echium is one of the best flowers for bees and is a source of wonderful honey.

Echium seed | blue bedder

How to grow

How To Grow Viper's Bugloss From Seed: It is recommended to sow Echium seeds directly outdoors once frost danger has passed. In a prepared seedbed with loosened soil that is free of weeds, sow the flower seed and cover with soil. Keep the Viper's Bugloss seeds moist until germination occurs.

Echium Blue Bedder seeds can be sown successively for continual blooms. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued blooming. If a few flowers are allowed to go to seed, Viper's Bugloss will re-seed itself for next year. It is recommended to wear gloves when handling Echium plants as it can be a skin irritant.

• Sowing Rate: 3 - 4 seeds per plant
• Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
• Keep moist until germination
• Attracts bees and butterflies
• Depth: 1/4 inch

Flower Specifications

Native to the Mediterranean, Echium Blue Bedder plants have masses of bright blue, upturned, bell-like flowers in clusters along branching stems covered with bristly grey hairs. The plants are easy, resilient and not fussy about soil.

• Height: 16 inches
• USDA Zones: 3 - 8
• Season: Biennial
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Viper's Bugloss (Echium Plantagineum Rose Bedder) - If you have a wildlife garden and want to attract beneficial insects, start Echium seeds and grow these lovely, nectar-rich flowers. Often referred to as Viper's Bugloss, these flowering plants grown from flower seeds have masses of bright rose, upturned bell-like flowers that grow in clusters along branching stems covered with bristly grey hairs. Echium Rose Bedder plants are not picky about soil, and they are lovely in flower beds, borders or containers.

It is recommended to sow Echium seeds directly outdoors once frost danger has passed. In a prepared seedbed with loosened soil that is free of weeds, so the flower seed and cover with soil. Keep the Viper's Bugloss seeds moist until germination occurs. Echium Rose Bedder seeds can be sown successively for continual blooms. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued blooming. If a few flowers are allowed to go to seed, Viper's Bugloss will re-seed itself for next year. It is recommended to wear gloves when handling Echium plants as it can be a skin irritant.