Culture
Best grown in evenly moist to dry, well-draining, sandy loams in full sun. Hardy in Zones 7-9.
'Red Feathers' is tolerant of drought and drier soils once established. Remove spent flowering spikes to encourage reblooming.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Echium amoenum is a short-lived perennial native to the Caucasus Mountains. Mature plants can reach up to 8" tall with a 6" spread. The 1" diameter, magenta to violet flowers bloom in mid to late spring on terminal cymes. This plant has been used traditionally as a medicinal herb for centuries.
Echium is the Greek name for this plant. It is derived from echis which means viper in reference to (a) the nutlet shape which resembles the head of a viper and (b) the ancient medicinal use of the plant root as a treatment for snakebite.
The specific epithet amoenum means "charming or pleasing".
'Red Feathers' is a selection of Echium amoenum that features a very different flower color and inflorescence structure compared to the species. The flowers are a bright coral-red and held on dense, upright, flowering spikes reaching up to 16" tall. Mature clumps will fill a 10" area and form small colonies by reseeding.
Problems
No major pest or disease problems have been reported.
Uses
Rock gardens, herb gardens, informal cottage gardens.