Echium pininana Blue Steeple

From the Canary islands, this form of the tree echium has jewel like blue flowers on spikes that can reach  over 3.6 metres tall.  Plants initially form tropical looking large rosettes of leaves with flower spikes forming in the 2nd or 3rd year.  Plants are monocarpic and therefore die after flowering.  Does well in milder parts of the UK where it will survive outdoors in sheltered spots in winter.  Otherwise it will need some protection from harder frosts.