Viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare) is a member of the borage family and attracts honeybees. Once established, this pretty blue wildflower is easy to grow. However, it can become invasive. This species has a deep taproot which makes it difficult to transplant and difficult to eradicate.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Echium vulgare, known as viper’s bugloss and blueweed, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family Boraginaceae. It is native to most of Europe and western and central Asia and it occurs as an introduced species in north-eastern North America, south-western South America and the South and North Island of New Zealand.
It is a biennial or monocarpic perennial plant growing to 30–80 cm (12–31 in) tall, with rough, hairy, oblongolate leaves. The flowers start pink and turn vivid blue, and are 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) in a branched spike, with all the stamens protruding. The pollen is blue but the filaments of the stamens remain red, contrasting against the blue flowers. It flowers between May and September in the Northern Hemisphere. The Latin specific epithet vulgare means common.
E. vulgare is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and numerous cultivars have been developed. The cultivar ‘Blue Bedder’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Viper’s bugloss is a toxic plant of medium severity. All parts of the plant are poisonous when ingested, and can cause symptoms of varying harm, such as pain of the lips, tongue, and throat, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea, and liver damage. The small hairs on the leaves have also been shown to cause contact dermatitis or allergy, which may include red, irritated skin, blistering, swelling, or pain in the affected area. There is no evidence stating that viper’s bugloss causes airborne allergy.
II. How to Grow and Care
Viper’s bugloss is known for its resilience and low-maintenance care requirements, making it an easy plant to grow. It thrives best in well-drained soil and requires full sun exposure to bloom profusely. Special care should be taken to avoid waterlogged conditions as viper’s bugloss’s roots are susceptible to rot in overly moist soils. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms and prevent excessive self-seeding.
Sunlight
The viper’s bugloss 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 viper’s bugloss is a very resilient plant. It is heat tolerant and can withstand temperatures down to -7 ℃. The viper’s bugloss needs regular water only for germination.
Watering
Originating from well-drained soils in temperate regions, viper’s bugloss is accustomed to moderate moisture levels and can endure short periods of drought. It thrives with a balance of hydration, avoiding both waterlogged roots and overly dry conditions. Watering every week suits its needs, ensuring steady growth without over-saturation. Typically found outdoors, viper’s bugloss benefits from natural rainfall patterns which complement its watering schedule, especially during its active growing season when it produces vibrant blooms.
Soil
The viper’s bugloss 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 viper’s bugloss can tolerate alkaline, acid, and neutral soils, although its optimum pH is between 6-6.5.
Fertilizing
For viper’s bugloss, fertilization encourages vigorous growth and vibrant blooms. Use high-phosphorus fertilizers to enhance flowering; apply sparingly in early spring and repeat during the peak growing period. Over-fertilization can harm viper’s bugloss, so limit to bi-monthly applications, adhering to the recommended dosage. Avoid fertilizing in late summer to prevent new growth susceptible to frost. For safe application, ensure even distribution over the soil without contacting foliage to prevent burn. Adapting to the plant’s life cycle will yield the healthiest viper’s bugloss.
Pruning
The viper’s bugloss does not need pruning, but you should pinch off wilted flowers in order to stimulate new blooms. The viper’s bugloss 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
Viper’s bugloss’s preferred method of propagation is sowing during Spring. This plant is relatively easy to propagate, with successful signs including emerging seedlings and steady growth. Ensure adequate moisture and spacing for optimal results.
Transplanting
The perfect time to transplant a viper’s bugloss is during the sun-kissed days of early to mid-summer. Choose a well-drained location with ample sunlight to promote healthy growth. Remember, a gentle touch goes a long way when handling viper’s bugloss roots during transplant.
III. Uses and Benefits
The summer-blooming bell-shaped flowers of viper’s bugloss make it an eye-catching addition to mixed beds and borders of cottage gardens. This wildflower brings numerous pollinators to gardens, so is eminently suitable for wildflower gardens. Being relatively salt-tolerant, it can be confidently planted in coastal gardens.