One flower that is sure to make jaws drop is the Echium wildpretii of tower of jewels flower. The amazing biennial can grow from 5 to 10 feet tall and is coated in the second year with brilliant pink flowers. If sheer size doesn’t impress you, the silvery foliage and prominent anthers give the flowers and foliage a sparkle when sunlight hits them. Keep reading for information on tower of jewels plant care.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Echium wildpretii is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae. It is an herbaceous biennial plant that grows up to 3 m (10 ft) in height. The species is endemic to the Canary Islands, and is found mainly in the national park surrounding Mount Teide in Tenerife. The subspecies E. wildpretii subsp. trichosiphon occurs at high altitudes on the island of La Palma. The common names are tower of jewels, red bugloss, Tenerife bugloss or Mount Teide bugloss.
The Latin specific epithet wildpretii honours the 19th century Swiss botanist Hermann Josef Wildpret.
It is a biennial, producing a dense rosette of leaves during the first year, flowers in the second year, and then dies. The red flowers are borne on an erect inflorescence, 1–3 m (3 ft 3 in – 9 ft 10 in). The plant blooms from late spring to early summer in Tenerife.
The plant grows in the subalpine zone of the ravines of Mount Teide, a volcano on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. It requires a lot of sun and is found in arid and dry conditions, but it tolerates frost down to −5 °C (23 °F). As a sub-alpine endemic plant with a narrow climatic niche and small distribution, the species is likely to be negatively impacted by climate change.
II. How to Grow and Care
Tower of jewels is a biennial plant with specific light and watering requirements. It thrives in full sun exposure and requires well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Special care includes ensuring frost protection as tower of jewels is sensitive to cold temperatures. Regular watering during the growing season is essential, but once established, tower of jewels has good drought tolerance. Avoid overwatering, especially in winter.
Sunlight
The tower of jewels needs full sun exposure and will have problems growing in the shade. Keep this in mind when choosing a place for this plant in your garden. If you are planning to grow it inside the house, be sure to place the pot on a bright windowsill and provide it with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.
Temperature
The tower of jewels is a very resilient plant. It is heat tolerant and can withstand temperatures down to -7 ℃. The tower of jewels needs regular water only for germination.
Watering
Native to the arid conditions of the Canary Islands, tower of jewels has adapted to thrive with minimal moisture, exhibiting a strong drought tolerance. Its water habits are balanced towards infrequent but deep watering sessions, reflecting its ability to store water internally. For optimal growth, tower of jewels should be watered every week. As an outdoor plant often grown in rock gardens or as a focal point in xeriscaping due to its impressive height and inflorescence, tower of jewels’s irrigation needs are influenced by soil drainage and exposure to full sun.
Soil
The tower of jewels is not particularly picky about its soil type, just the drainage. It will grow best in sandy type soil, even if the soil is quite dry. Ideally, the soil should also have a bit of lime in it. The tower of jewels can tolerate alkaline, acid, and neutral soils, although its optimum pH is between 6-6.5.
Fertilizing
For tower of jewels, fertilize with balanced nutrition fertilizers biweekly during growth. Shifting to high phosphorus types pre-flowering enhances blooms. Apply sparingly to prevent root burn. Seasonal adjustments to frequency and quantity are crucial for optimal health. Utilize measured applications, following product instructions for effectiveness and safety.
Planting Instructions
The tower of jewels can be grown from seed, and this can be sown directly outside a couple of weeks after the winter frost. If growing inside to begin with, plan the sowing to be around six weeks before planting out.
Mix some organic compost to your garden soil to improve drainage, because the tower of jewels is sensitive to damp soil. If planting in containers, consider a pebble layer, preferably limestone. The seed doesn’t have to be planted deep – lightly cover the seed with a soil layer and press down gently. Keep the soil moist throughout the germination process. The optimal temperature range for germination is 18 to 21 ℃. Space the plants at 25 to 61 cm apart and use a large pot if planting a taller-growing variety.
Pruning
The tower of jewels does not need pruning, but you should pinch off wilted flowers in order to stimulate new blooms. The tower of jewels is so successful at spreading because it seeds readily – consider pinching off all flowers at the end of the flowering season, just before the production of the seeds starts. This will prevent it from spreading by seed.
Propagation
Tower of jewels is a striking biennial that is propagated primarily through seeds. For effective cultivation, ensure fertile, well-draining soil and full sun exposure. Scatter the seeds evenly in situ or start them in trays for later transplantation, maintaining adequate moisture for germination. Proper spacing is crucial to accommodate mature growth. Careful handling is important, as tower of jewels’s seedlings can be delicate. Consistency in care will yield towering spikes adorned with vibrant blooms.
Transplanting
To give the tower of jewels the best start, aim to transplant when the warmth of late spring kisses the soil, typically transitioning into early summer. Choose a sunny spot with good drainage to welcome the tower of jewels to its new home, ensuring it has space to flourish. Keep it friendly: be gentle when moving this stately beauty.
III. Uses and Benefits
This plant can be found as a garden ornamental but is intolerant of low temperatures, thus some winter protection is required in frost-prone areas. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. As with most buglosses, it is favoured by bee-keepers for its high nectar content.
