Echium fastuosum, Pride of Madiera is a large, woody perennial with sword shaped, glaucous leaves with a raspy/rough texture.
The leaves are arranged in rosettes around the stems at the ends of the branches.
It produces tiny, blue, funnel shaped flowers which are held above the foliage in large, dense, cylindrical flower heads creating a dramatic colour display.
It is a lovely architectural plant, valued for the dense sprays of blue flowers.
This plant needs a dry climate, and will suffer in high humidity.