Red Feathers (Echium)

A 2010 Plant Select® Winner. Echium amoenum (Red Feathers) is a beautiful, xeric, small growing wildflower from the Caucasus Mountains of western Asia. Its russet-red flower spikes resemble Liatris.  Blooming in late spring, it will continue to push new flower spikes through the summer when deadheaded.  But leave some spikes on the plant later in the season to ripen seed. A short-lived perennial, it should be mulched with gravel mulch to encourage it to re-seed itself. Adaptable to average, sandy and clay soils, plant it in a half day to full day of sun. Plant with Creeping Goldenaster (Heterotheca jonesii), Blue Flax (Linum) and  Dark Violet Skullcap (Scutellaria).