Echium russicum - VIPER'S BUGLOSS
Early vertical accent of ruby-red spikes in end of May to June/July. For drained soils or rock gardens.
2' tall x 0.5' wide, basal rosettes of semi-evergreen/evergreen sand-papery leaves. Shorter-lived perennial that lives 3-5 years, but stays present by selfseeding.
Full sun, drained to well drained soils with average moisture (medium) to medium-dry or dry (likes summer drought). Well draining soils, sandy, rocky, gritty, gravely soils, sandy loam.
Hardy in zones 3-7 (possibly to zone 2).
Deer and rabbit resistant. Attracts hummingbirds and honeybees, possibly some native bees too.
Native to Ukraine and Russia.
Other common names are Russian Bugloss, False Pink Liatris, Red Viper's Grass etc.
This plant doesn't like to be overgrown by tall and robust plants, so the best use is in the front or edges, combined with smaller perennials or grasses. Good companions can be Artemisia, Asclepias tuberosa, shorter Achillea, Alchemilla erythropoda, Aster ptarmicoides, Coreopsis, Dalea, Geranium (G. sanquineum, G. renardii, G. cinereum), shorter Echinacea, Helianthemum, Lavandula, Linum, Kalimeris, Penstemon, Phlox subulata, Phlox bifida, shorter Liatris (Liatris microcephala, L. mucronata), Thymus, Saponaria, Satureja, shorter and smaller Sedum. Or with smaller grasses like Koeleria cristata, Muhlenbergia, smaller Sesleria, Schizachyrium scoparium (S. 'Jazz', S. Carousel'), Sporobolus heterolepis 'Tara', Stipa etc.
Pot size : square 3.5" x 5" deep pot
Picture copyright : US Perennials
Echium russicum - VIPER'S BUGLOSS
Early vertical accent of ruby-red spikes in end of May to June/July. For drained soils or rock gardens.
2' tall x 0.5' wide, basal rosettes of semi-evergreen/evergreen sand-papery leaves. Shorter-lived perennial that lives 3-5 years, but stays present by selfseeding.
Full sun, drained to well drained soils with average moisture (medium) to medium-dry or dry (likes summer drought). Well draining soils, sandy, rocky, gritty, gravely soils, sandy loam.
Hardy in zones 3-7 (possibly to zone 2).
Deer and rabbit resistant. Attracts hummingbirds and honeybees, possibly some native bees too.
Native to Ukraine and Russia.
Other common names are Russian Bugloss, False Pink Liatris, Red Viper's Grass etc.
This plant doesn't like to be overgrown by tall and robust plants, so the best use is in the front or edges, combined with smaller perennials or grasses. Good companions can be Artemisia, Asclepias tuberosa, shorter Achillea, Alchemilla erythropoda, Aster ptarmicoides, Coreopsis, Dalea, Geranium (G. sanquineum, G. renardii, G. cinereum), shorter Echinacea, Helianthemum, Lavandula, Linum, Kalimeris, Penstemon, Phlox subulata, Phlox bifida, shorter Liatris (Liatris microcephala, L. mucronata), Thymus, Saponaria, Satureja, shorter and smaller Sedum. Or with smaller grasses like Koeleria cristata, Muhlenbergia, smaller Sesleria, Schizachyrium scoparium (S. 'Jazz', S. Carousel'), Sporobolus heterolepis 'Tara', Stipa etc.
Pot size : square 3.5" x 5" deep pot
Picture copyright : US Perennials