Italian Viper’s Bugloss

(Echium italicum)

Italian Viper’s Bugloss (Echium italicum)

/

return to results
Previous Plant Next Plant

/

Echium italicum image
scroll forward scroll backward
scroll forward scroll backward
Estimated Native Range
Species Map Help

Summary

Echium italicum, commonly known as Italian Viper’s Bugloss or Pale Bugloss, is a biennial or short-lived perennial herb native to the Mediterranean Basin, including North Africa, western Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe. It thrives in open areas such as grasslands, roadsides, and disturbed sites, often in dry, sunny locations. Italian Viper’s Bugloss can reach a height of 30-80 cm (12-31 inches) and a width of 20-50 cm (8-20 inches). It has a rosette of hairy, lance-shaped leaves and tall spikes of creamy white to pale blue flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. The flowers are particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators.

Italian Viper’s Bugloss is valued for its striking flower spikes and ability to attract wildlife. It is used in wildflower gardens, as part of pollinator-friendly plantings, and for naturalizing in informal settings. This plant prefers well-drained soil, tolerates drought once established, and thrives in full sun to part shade. While generally low-maintenance, it can self-seed prolifically under favorable conditions, which may be undesirable in some gardens. It has no major disease or pest issues, but its coarse hairs can irritate skin on contact.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 1.5-2 feet
  • Width: 1.5-2 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Blue, White
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Low
  • Drainage: Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden

Natural Habitat

Thrives in open areas such as grasslands, roadsides, and disturbed sites, often in dry, sunny locations

Other Names

Common Names: Pale Bugloss, Italian Viper’s Bugloss, Lady Campbell-Weed, Borrago-Italiano, Yellow-Bugloss

Scientific Names: , Echium italicum, Echium asperrimum, Echium pollentinum, Echium pollentinum,

GBIF Accepted Name: