Q.Echium
Hi
I planted 2 echiums last year and right now they are completely black. Will they come back for their flower this year or are they dead.
Edwina

Certified GKH Gardening Expert
The ones that are dead will not come back. They are biennials. This means that the first year is spent growing the leaves, while the second will set a flower spike, thus completing its life cycle.
There is good news, though. These flowers drop seeds like crazy. You will have more come up but they will take 2 years to complete their cycle again.
Here is an article for more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/tower-of-jewels/echium-tower-of-jewels-info.htm