To describe Pride of Madeira's features as anything other than stunning doesn’t do the plant justice. You’ve probably heard the list of attributes before — purple flower spikes, mounding habit, low water use, coastal tolerant, sage green foliage — but once you've seen a Pride of Madeira and all its charms, you’ll never forget it. Like the island it hails from, Pride of Madeira allures from both near and far. GARDENIA-Sharly & Tanya Illuz Botanical name: Echium candicans (syn. Echium fastuosum)
Common name: Pride of Madeira
USDA zones: 9 to 10; hardy to about 25 degrees Fahrenheit (find your zone)
Water requirement: Little to none
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 5 to 6 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide
Benefits and tolerances: Flowers attract bees, birds and butterflies; deer resistant; drought and coastal tolerant
Seasonal interest: Evergreen; flowers spring through summer
When to plant: Plant seeds in spring; plant cuttings in midsummer.

Caution: Pride of Madeira can irritate skin. Wear proper protection, including gloves, when handling it. Brian Maloney Design Associates Distinguishing traits. Even without the massive terminal flower spikes, Pride of Madeira’s striking form and attractive foliage fill the garden and complement other plants year-round. Woody stems project elegantly, though loosely, out, finished with narrow furry leaves growing to the ends. Bountiful flower clusters arrive in spring, beckoning bees, birds and butterflies to the garden. CARL BALTON + ASSOCIATES Urban Oasis How to use it. Bold colors and loose-bounding forms translate well in coastal Mediterranean gardens, making Pride of Madeira a natural fit. Pair it with other bold-colored plants, like bougainvillea, or with like-minded dusty purple and green shrubs, like lavender.

Plant it toward the back of beds so as not to block other daintier plants. Many homeowners plant Pride of Madeira on hillsides and slopes, which are akin to its native habitat.

Caution: The plant does reseed, and it is advised not to plant it close to a riparian or habitat restoration zone. The plant is not a rampant invasive, however; the California Invasive Plant Council lists the statewide impact as limited. Urban Oasis Planting notes. Provide full sun, minimal water and well-drained soil. Pride of Madeira prefers drier climates but thrives in coastal conditions without the threat of extreme temperature swings.

Cut the plant back in fall, after flowering, to maintain a healthy, bushy shape and promote new growth.

Pride of Madeira reseeds freely, which can be helpful, since it is not the most long-lived plant; it will fill in if the parent plant dies. You can also let seed heads dry on the plant and collect them to plant elsewhere in your garden or to prevent unmonitored spreading.