Echium russicum

A rare super hardy Echium! This variety of viper's bugloss boasts dark red flowering panicles that resemble thick pipe cleaners. Flower spikes rise from a basal rosette of hairy leaves in mid-summer. This plant will perennialize and reseed reliably if provided well-drained soil in full sun.

Fun fact: It was once believed that this plant could cure the bite of a viper - hence the common name.

Warning: the leaves of this plant may cause skin irritation

Zones: 5 to 8

Family: Boraginaceae

Type: DeciduousPerennial

Height: 18 to 24 in.

Spread: 24 to 36 in.

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Condition: Dry, Sandy, Well-drained

Bloom Time: June to Aug

Native Range: the Ukrainian steppes

Image Credits:

• Image 1 (close up) Kyllir, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Image 2 (multuple) Jelitto