Echium pininana aka Giant Viper's Bugloss

Echium pininana, commonly known as the tree echium, pine echium, giant viper's-bugloss, or tower of jewels, is an endangered species of flowering plant in the borage family Boraginaceae that is endemic to the Canary Islands, where it is restricted to the island of La Palma. Despite its name, it is not closely related to pine or resembling it in any way. Echium pininana is a stunning biennial plant that forms a low rosette of silver, hairy, spear-like leaves in its first year, and sends up a huge spike loaded with small blue flowers in its second year. It has been awarded the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) by the Royal Horticultural Society, and is extremely attractive to bees for pollination. This species is something of an aggressive self-seeder, so it is best suited to mild, sheltered parts of the UK. Unfortunately, it is also invasive in Australia, South Africa, and the United States. As a houseplant, Echium pininana requires regular watering, long-lasting, direct light, and well-draining soil. It should not need additional fertilizers as long as it is repotted each time it doubles in size.