Photography

Mousetoescamper

(6,819 posts) Sat Apr 12, 2025, 11:03 PM Apr 2025

Tower-of-Jewels (Echium wildpretii)

Taken two weeks ago at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. The plant is growing in a ceramic planter in the reflecting pool. Echium wildpretii is endemic to the Canary Islands, Spain, and grows mainly in ravines around Mount Teide, a volcano on the island Tenerife.

18 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Tower-of-Jewels (Echium wildpretii) (Original Post) Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 OP

Wow! The name certainly fits. Those leaves are just a bit scary . . . CaliforniaPeggy Apr 2025 #1

They usually grow straight, but this one looked whimsically Seussical (Dr.) Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #3

Nature is amazingly beautiful. Deuxcents Apr 2025 #2

Yes, in all of its manifold forms Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #6

Very interesting & beautiful! SheltieLover Apr 2025 #4

Thanks and you're welcome, SheltieLover! Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #7

The flowering part area51 Apr 2025 #5

I thought so too. It's a fascinating plant. Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #8

Closer shot of a more upright-growing Tower-of-Jewels at Longwood Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #16

I am really looking forward to going to Longwood Easterncedar Apr 2025 #9

I plan to be there Tuesday for the spring blooms Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #10

Oooh! I look forward to some pictures! Easterncedar Apr 2025 #11

Beautiful! Thank you for this lovely photograph. HeartsCanHope Apr 2025 #12

Thanks and you're welcome, HeartsCanHope! Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #14

What a strange looking plant. Thank you for the introduction. Beautiful photograph. LoisB Apr 2025 #13

Thanks, LoisB! Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #15

What a beautiful, unusual looking plant! Diamond_Dog Apr 2025 #17

Thanks, Diamond_Dog! Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #18

CaliforniaPeggy

(155,488 posts)

1. Wow! The name certainly fits. Those leaves are just a bit scary . . .

Reply to Mousetoescamper (Original post)

Sat Apr 12, 2025, 11:06 PM

Apr 2025

They almost look like they could walk.

Very exotic.

Mousetoescamper

(6,819 posts)

3. They usually grow straight, but this one looked whimsically Seussical (Dr.)

Reply to CaliforniaPeggy (Reply #1)

Sat Apr 12, 2025, 11:38 PM

Apr 2025

There were a half-dozen or so of these plants there. A docent said it's rumored that between 3 and 4 AM (the witching hour) the Towers roam the greenhouse seeking trespassing photographers which, if found, they devour with great relish (usually pickle).

Thanks!