Pride of Madeira: A Showstopper That Demands Attention (But Maybe Not Your Garden)
If you’ve ever strolled through a coastal California garden and been stopped in your tracks by towering spikes of brilliant blue-purple flowers, chances are you’ve met Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans). This dramatic perennial shrub knows how to make an entrance, but before you rush to add it to your garden, there are a few things worth knowing about this Portuguese transplant.
What Exactly Is Pride of Madeira?
Pride of Madeira is a robust, multi-stemmed woody perennial that originally called the island of Madeira home. This sturdy shrub typically grows 4-6 feet tall and wide, though it can stretch even taller under ideal conditions. What really sets it apart are those show-stopping flower spikes that can reach up to 6 feet tall, creating a spectacular display that’s visible from across the garden.
The plant produces dense clusters of small, tubular flowers in shades ranging from deep blue to purple, often with pink buds that open to reveal the blue blooms. These flowers appear on tall, branching spikes that emerge from the center of the plant, creating an almost architectural presence in the landscape.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
While native to Madeira, Pride of Madeira has made itself quite at home in California, where it grows wild along the coast and reproduces without any human help. It’s particularly common in coastal areas where the mild, Mediterranean-like climate suits its preferences perfectly.
The Good, The Bad, and The Buzzing
Let’s start with the positives – and there are quite a few! Pride of Madeira is a pollinator magnet, attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects with its nectar-rich flowers. The blooms appear over a long season, typically from late spring through summer, providing consistent food sources for pollinators when many other plants are taking a break.
The plant is also incredibly drought-tolerant once established, making it a water-wise choice for gardens in dry climates. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, and actually prefers the kind of neglect that kills more fussy plants.
However, here’s where things get complicated: Pride of Madeira can be a bit too successful for its own good. In coastal California, it readily self-seeds and can crowd out native plants. While it’s not officially listed as invasive everywhere, responsible gardeners might want to think twice before introducing it to areas near natural habitats.
Growing Pride of Madeira Successfully
If you decide to grow Pride of Madeira, here’s how to keep it happy:
- Climate: Best suited for USDA zones 9-11, particularly in coastal areas
- Sun: Full sun is essential for best flowering
- Soil: Well-draining soil is crucial – this plant hates wet feet
- Water: Drought-tolerant once established, but benefits from occasional deep watering
- Planting time: Fall or spring planting works best
Care and Maintenance Tips
Pride of Madeira is refreshingly low-maintenance once it settles in. Here are the basics:
- Water regularly the first year to help establish roots, then reduce watering significantly
- Deadhead spent flower spikes to prevent excessive self-seeding
- In windy areas, you may need to stake tall flower spikes
- Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape
- Watch for aphids on new growth, which can usually be managed with beneficial insects or gentle hosing
Garden Design Ideas
Pride of Madeira works best as a specimen plant or focal point in Mediterranean-style gardens. Its architectural form and dramatic flowers make it perfect for:
- Coastal gardens where it can handle salt spray
- Drought-tolerant landscapes
- Large containers (though you’ll need a big one!)
- Background plantings behind lower-growing perennials
Consider Native Alternatives
If you love the look of Pride of Madeira but want to support local ecosystems, consider these native alternatives that offer similar benefits:
- Ceanothus species for blue flowers and pollinator appeal
- Penstemon species for tubular flowers loved by hummingbirds
- Salvia species for drought tolerance and pollinator benefits
The Bottom Line
Pride of Madeira is undeniably beautiful and can be a stunning addition to the right garden in the right location. However, its tendency to self-seed aggressively means it’s worth considering whether native alternatives might serve your garden – and local wildlife – better in the long run. If you do choose to grow it, be a responsible gardener by deadheading spent flowers and keeping an eye on any unwanted seedlings that might pop up beyond your garden borders.
Whatever you decide, there’s no denying that few plants can match Pride of Madeira’s dramatic flair when it’s in full bloom. Just make sure you’re ready for the commitment – this is one plant that definitely doesn’t believe in staying quietly in the background!
