How it all started
Two sisters, one packet of seeds, and a lot of patience. Isla and Emma started growing Echium pininana — the legendary "Tower of Jewels" — from tiny seeds, nurturing them through their first year as leafy rosettes, then watching in amazement as they shot up into magnificent purple spires that bees absolutely love.
Now their plants have flowered and set seed, and they want to share the magic with other gardeners. Every seed head you receive comes from plants they grew themselves, with care and genuine love for these incredible biennial giants.
Sow the seeds
Tiny seeds sown in spring or summer, kept warm and watered until the first little leaves appear.
Year one rosette
Through the first year, echium grows as a beautiful silvery-green leafy rosette — no flower yet, just building energy.
The spike emerges
In year two, the spectacular flower spike rockets upwards — sometimes reaching 3–4 metres tall!
Tower of Jewels
Thousands of tiny purple and pink flowers bloom from bottom to top, drawing bees from far and wide.
