Northern California nurtures a wealth of blue and purple blossoms (a phenomena that has led me in fruitless queries for some geographical or meteorological explanation), but my favorite is the Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans).

A migrant from the Portuguese island of Madeira off the coast of NW Africa, once a specimen establishes itself, the plant can withstand xeric (drought-like) conditions, blasting winds and sustained periods of rain. Most of the ones I see around the Bay Area grew naturally, though they make a superb addition to any sizable yard. If you live around here and haven’t paid much notice before you’ll see them all over the place. They are in bloom for another month but I believe they’ve already hit their peak for the year. Take time when checking out their massive bloom cone as also highly appreciated by hummingbirds and butterflies.

Photo credits: (all hosted by Flickr)
1. Madeira Walking
2. Kasey Kasey
3. Tigotigs
4. tzejen