All in-stock items are still available for delivery! Free Delivery on all orders over £35 (UK Mainland)
Some Herbs may be too tall for our standard packaging and will be trimmed to fit. This will not be detrimental to the plant but will mean that these herbs will flower later in the year.
The Blister packs used to protect our beautiful herbs during transit are made from 100% recycled plastic and can be recycled kerbside.
Red-flowered viper's grass, Red Vipers Bugloss or Russian Echium is considered a biennial but if the conditions are right it may survive as a perennial, growing to a height of 60cm it will particularly thrive in chalky/sandy soil with full sun but will tolerate most soil conditions as long as it is well-drained. With 30-40 flowers on each stem from June to late August, the flowers of Echium russicum are a beautiful dark red colour flecked with pink, showing long red stamens. Dead head regularly to promote new flowers.
If you want to self-propagate once established then Red-flowered viper's grass should not be cut down until after seed set in the late summer. Bees and butterflies love it, so it is at home in a wildlife garden but equally so in a mixed border.
Red-flowered viper's grass gets its common name from the tale that it was an expellent of poisons and venom and could cure the bite of a viper! Its seeds also resemble snakes heads so this could also be a reason for this tale. In herbal medicine it was said that a tincture of this plant would alleviate fevers, headaches and nervous complaints and could relieve inflammatory pains. WARNING - All parts of this plant can cause mild stomach upset if ingested.
Our potted Red-flowered viper's grass herb plants are generally available to buy online between March and September.
| Echium russicum (Red-flowered viper's grass) Herb Plant | |
|---|---|
| Aspect/Site | Full sun |
| Soil Type | Well-drained soil |
| Flower Colour | Red |
| Height | 60cm |
| Spread | 90cm |
| Latin Name | Echium russicum |
| Hardiness | RHS rating H7 - Very hardy |
| Culinary | None |
| Scented | Flowers |
| Medicinal/Cosmetic | Herbal medicine |
| Flowering/Harvest/Interest | Summer |
| Special Features | Pollinator Friendly |
| Type of Garden | Wildlife |
Received three securely packaged, very healthy plants with strong root systems. Because these plants flower in their second year, I'm not expecting flowers this year but the blue flowered plant I bought from Hooks last year is now tall with elecctric blue flowers. Highly recommend.
Received three securely packaged, very healthy plants with strong root systems. Because these plants flower in their second year, I'm not expecting flowers this year but the blue flowered plant I bought from Hooks last year is now tall with elecctric blue flowers. Highly recommend.
Have tried to grow Echium Pinninana here in south west wales and had some success but lost all of them this winter after 10 days of not getting above 0 degrees despite fleece protection. Am trying these this time…. I will not be beaten, wish me luck
Have tried to grow Echium Pinninana here in south west wales and had some success but lost all of them this winter after 10 days of not getting above 0 degrees despite fleece protection. Am trying these this time…. I will not be beaten, wish me luck
This is such a rare beautiful plant! I was so happy to find it on HooksGreenHerbs. The plant itself arrived lush and healthy! Couldn’t be happier!
After buying the Blue Bugloss from your stand at the the Blenheim show i decided to buy the red Bugloss from your Website. The bees love the two plants together!
