The “purple tower plant” commonly refers to Echium candicans, also known as Pride of Madeira. This impressive shrub is celebrated for its dramatic visual appeal, making it a popular choice for gardeners.
Identifying the Purple Tower Plant
Echium candicans is an evergreen shrub characterized by its distinctive rosette of silvery-green, lance-shaped leaves. Its leaves are hairy and can reach 6 to 10 inches in length, forming a dense, mounding base. From this base, tall, conical flower spikes emerge, often reaching 5 to 8 feet or more.
The towers are densely packed with small, bell-shaped flowers, predominantly vibrant blue to purple, often highlighted by reddish-pink stamens. These flower spikes bloom from late spring through summer, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The plant spreads 6 to 10 feet wide, forming a mounding shrub with woody stems.
Caring for Your Purple Tower Plant
Echium candicans is a low-maintenance plant once established. Proper conditions ensure healthy growth and abundant flowering.
Light Requirements
This plant thrives in full sun. It needs 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering. Partial shade is tolerated, especially in hotter inland areas, but may result in less vigorous growth and fewer blooms.
Soil and Drainage
Well-draining soil is essential for the health of Pride of Madeira. It tolerates various soil types, including sandy, loamy, or rocky, and adapts to different pH levels. Good drainage is paramount to prevent root rot, a common issue in water-retentive soils. Amending heavy or clay soils with sand or organic compost improves drainage.
Watering Practices
Once established, Echium candicans is drought-tolerant and requires minimal supplemental water, especially in coastal climates. During its spring and summer flowering season, regular watering helps maintain healthy blooms. For younger plants or during dry spells, moderate watering is beneficial, allowing the soil to dry between waterings to prevent overwatering.
Temperature and Humidity
Pride of Madeira is hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 11, and prefers mild climates. It tolerates temperatures down to 20-25°F for short durations, but hard freezes can severely damage the plant. In cooler regions, winter frost protection, such as horticultural fleece, may be necessary. The plant adapts well to moderate humidity.
Fertilization
Echium candicans is not a heavy feeder and does not require extensive fertilization, thriving in low-nutrient soils. A light application of a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer (such as 5-10-5) or compost in early spring can encourage flowering without promoting excessive foliage growth. Over-fertilization leads to yellowing leaves.
Pruning and Deadheading
Pruning maintains the plant’s shape, size, and promotes new growth. Deadheading (removing spent flower stalks) after blooming encourages a tidier appearance and prevents excessive self-seeding. For shaping or size control, light pruning can be done in summer or late fall, or more significantly in late winter or early spring before new growth. When pruning, remove no more than one-third of the total foliage in a year.
Common Issues and Solutions
Echium candicans is resistant to most pests and diseases, requiring minimal intervention. Some issues can arise. Overwatering is a common problem leading to root rot, indicated by yellowing leaves or drooping foliage. Ensuring excellent drainage and allowing the soil to dry between waterings prevents this.
In humid conditions, powdery mildew may appear on leaves and flowers, giving the plant a dusty or dark appearance. Removing affected parts and improving air circulation helps manage this. Aphids and snails are occasional pests that may target new growth or foliage. A strong spray of water dislodges aphids, while physical removal or appropriate baits address snails.
Propagation and Ideal Placement
Echium candicans propagates from seeds or stem cuttings. Seeds sown in late spring to early summer in a well-draining potting mix typically germinate within a few weeks to two months. Softwood cuttings can be taken in late spring to early summer, or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, and rooted in a well-draining medium, often with rooting hormone. The plant also readily self-seeds, providing new plants to replace older ones, as Echium candicans is a biennial or short-lived perennial, typically lasting about 5 years.
Given its mature size of 5 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide, Pride of Madeira requires ample space. It is an excellent choice for Mediterranean-style gardens, rock gardens, or as a striking specimen plant. Its drought and salt tolerance make it suitable for coastal areas and xeriscape designs. The plant’s dramatic flower spikes and mounding habit also make it effective in borders, on hillsides, or in large containers.