Viper's Bugloss Seeds (Echium vulgare)

This colourful native biennial blooms from early to mid summer, loved by many pollinators especially bees and butterflies makes it a great addition to the environment. Viper's Bugloss is a drought-tolerant and low-maintenance flower, thriving in dry, well-drained soils and is perfect for naturalistic planting schemes or wildflower mixes.

Key Features:

• Long-lasting blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects
• Drought-resistant and thrives in poor, sandy soils
• Beautiful spires of electric blue flowers add height and interest 
• Native wildflower ideal for rewilding, pollinator strips, and sustainable gardening
• Self-seeds readily for ongoing displays in future seasons

Viper’s Bugloss (Echium vulgare) is a UK-native biennial that adds dramatic colour and ecological value to your garden. In its first year, the plant forms a rosette of rough, hairy leaves. In the second year, it sends up tall flower spikes reaching 30–80 cm, adorned with masses of vibrant blue blooms with red stamens that shift to purple over time.
The name “Viper’s Bugloss” is thought to reference the snake-like pattern on its stems or the shape of its seeds. Historically admired in traditional herbal lore, today it’s better known as a wildlife powerhouse—producing high-quality nectar that supports bees, bumblebees, hoverflies, and butterflies throughout the flowering season.
Ideal for dry banks, poor soils, and open sunny areas, Viper’s Bugloss is a key component of many wildflower mixes and meadow projects. Once established, it will often self-seed and return for years to come with minimal care.

Sow Viper's Bugloss seeds directly into prepared ground in autumn or spring. Lightly rake into the soil surface, as seeds need light to germinate. Germination can occur in 2–4 weeks, depending on conditions.

Choose a sunny, open site with well-drained, low-fertility soil. Viper’s Bugloss prefers dry areas and struggles in wet or overly rich soils. Water only during prolonged dry spells during establishment—after that, it is drought-tolerant and requires little intervention.

Flowers appear in the plant’s second year, typically from June through August. To encourage natural reseeding, leave some flower heads to set seed at the end of the season.

For garden applications direct sow at 1g/m2. For overseeding existing meadow planting or for new sowings on larger areas sow at a maximum of 2g/m2.

Perfect for wildlife gardens, dry banks, wildflower meadows, and pollinator-friendly borders. Viper’s Bugloss is a magnet for pollinators and provides one of the best sources of nectar during mid-summer. Its presence helps boost biodiversity and supports a range of insects including honeybees, solitary bees, and butterflies.

We offer a flat shipping rate of £5.99.

Garden lawn seed, wildflower seeds, and wildflower seed mixtures are typically dispatched within 1 to 3 working days.

Products from our agricultural, landscaping, and equine ranges may be shipped separately as they are mixed to order.

We aim to ensure customer satisfaction with all products supplied. If you experience any issues with your order, please contact us at info@kentseeds.co.uk within 5 working days of the dispatch date, quoting your order number and a detailed description of the issue.

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Q1: When does Viper’s Bugloss flower?

A: It flowers in its second year, typically from June to August. It’s a biennial, so you may not see blooms the first year after sowing.

Q2: Will Viper’s Bugloss grow in clay or rich soil?

A: It prefers poor, well-drained soil and struggles in heavy or waterlogged conditions. Ideal for sandy or chalky sites.

Q3: Is Viper’s Bugloss good for bees?

A: Yes, it’s one of the top-rated plants for nectar production and is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Q4: Do I need to replant it every year?

A: Not necessarily, if allowed to go to seed, Viper’s Bugloss often self-seeds and reappears in future years with little effort.