Pride of Madeira Echium candicans
Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Boraginaceae family, native to Madeira. It grows 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Pride of Madeira in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Pride of Madeira at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Boraginaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Madeira |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
| Invasive in | Australia (parts): check local rules before planting |
Is Pride of Madeira toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: all parts
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, as in other echiums; bristly leaves irritate skin.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Pride of Madeira
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Pride of Madeira
- How far apart should I plant Pride of Madeira?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Pride of Madeira need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pride of Madeira need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pride of Madeira?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Pride of Madeira flower?
- From about April for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Pride of Madeira poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, as in other echiums; bristly leaves irritate skin.
- What grows well with Pride of Madeira?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pride of Madeira. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
Notes and assumptions
- Domed shrub covered in blue flower spikes that bees love; short-lived.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Borage Borago officinalis
- Comfrey Symphytum officinale
- Woodland forget-me-not Myosotis sylvatica
- Lungwort (pulmonaria) Pulmonaria officinalis
- Heliotrope Heliotropium arborescens
- Tree echium (giant viper's bugloss) Echium pininana
- Virginia bluebells Mertensia virginica
- Chatham Island forget-me-not Myosotidium hortensia