Echiums are belong to Boraginaceae family. Indigenous to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Maderia and western Europe. There are about 40 members of the genus. Echium can be annuals, biennials, evergreen perennials or shrubs, with simple, coarsely hairy leaves and funnel-shaped flowers borne in panicles or dense spikes in summer.  

Echium candicans synonym is Echium fastuosum is a soft wooded shrub. It is also called Pride of Madeira.Maderia island is a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. While it is endemic to the islands, it is also found in Canary islands naturally. Echium candicans is also naturalized and offered commercially world-wide.

Pride of Madeira is a short lived, ever green perennial. Ultimate height and spread are up to 250cm. Green grey leaves are oleander shape, up to 10cm long, they clustered in large rosettes at the branch ends. In spring and summer, it produced up to 60cm long spires of sapphire-blue to violet-blue flowers with crimson stamens are produced. Each flower is only 10mm long, but borne hundreds together.

Echium candicans is a frost sensitive plant, can withstant only short periods of light freze. It is salt and dry tolerant. Outdoors, grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from winter frost in situ with horticultural fleece.  It likes alkaline or neutral soil.

Use In Landscape: Pride of Madeira is especially suited for xeriscape plantings and tends to be happiest in dry, rocky soil, baked by the sun. As long as it is protected from freezing temperatures and damp conditions, it will multiply happily and put on a tremendous show of the striking candelabra blossoms so many gardeners love. If there is danger of frost, Echium candicans could be kept as a pot plant with occasional pruning and taken indoor in cold season. As attractive to bees and butterflies, Pride of Madeira is a big favorite in butterfly and hummingbird gardens.