Pride-of-Madeira, also known as Echium candicans, is a popular choice for landscaping and ornamental purposes. It adds a vibrant touch to gardens with its tall spikes of purple-blue flowers and silvery-green foliage. However, it is important to note that this plant can potentially spread and become invasive in certain environments.
In inland areas, where there is limited natural moisture, pride-of-Madeira often requires a summer source of water to thrive. This dependence on additional watering can help control its spread, as it doesn’t have the same opportunity to self-seed and establish itself in new areas. However, in coastal regions where the climate is more favorable and there is ample moisture, the plant can escape cultivation and spread more freely.
The exact biology and invasiveness of pride-of-Madeira are not well-studied, but anecdotal evidence suggests that its spread is relatively slow into established native plant communities. This means that while it may have the potential to become invasive, it does not appear to aggressively take over and outcompete native species in a short period of time.
I have personally come across pride-of-Madeira in coastal areas where it has self-seeded and established small colonies, but these colonies have not seemed to expand significantly over time. This suggests that while the plant can spread, it does so at a relatively slow pace.
It is worth noting that controlling the spread of pride-of-Madeira can be challenging, especially in coastal regions where the plant is more likely to escape cultivation. Regular monitoring and diligent removal of any seedlings or unwanted plants can help prevent its spread. Additionally, it is important to be mindful of planting pride-of-Madeira in areas where it may become invasive and potentially harm native ecosystems.
To summarize, pride-of-Madeira has the potential to spread, especially in coastal regions where it can escape cultivation. However, its spread seems to be relatively slow, and it does not aggressively outcompete native species. Regular monitoring and control measures can help manage its spread and prevent any negative impact on the surrounding environment.
