Plumbago ‘Imperial Blue’

Plumbago auriculata ‘Imperial Blue’

Characteristics

Culture

Plumbago ‘Imperial Blue’ is winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-11 where it grows best in organically rich, fertile, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. May be grown as a rounded shrub or trained with ties on a trellis as a vine. Site in locations protected from strong winds. During the growing season, it does best in consistently moist soils, but established plants are quite tolerant of some drought. When overwintering as a houseplant, bring indoors before first fall frost to a bright sunny room. Cut back stems hard in late winter to encourage new growth for the coming season. When overwintering as a dormant plant, cut stems back and store in a cool, dry, dark corner of a basement or frost-free garage. Plumbago ‘Imperial Blue’ may be easily grown from seed, but plants generally will not flower until the second year.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Plumbago auriculata, commonly called cape leadwort or cape plumbago, Native to South Africa. It is a weak-stemmed perennial evergreen shrub that grows 6-7’ tall and 8-10’ wide in its native habitat. When grown in containers, it more typically will grow 1-3’ per year and is often kept relatively compact through periodic prunings and/or a hard annual pruning. Features clusters (terminal racemes) of pale blue phlox-like flowers that bloom freely throughout the growing season. Flowers are followed by barbed fruit capsules. Oblong to oblanceolate green leaves (to 3” long) have ear-shaped bases, hence the species name. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, commonly called plumbago, is a low-growing ground cover in the same family as the Plumbago auriculate.

Problems

Watch for whiteflies, spider mites and mealy bugs if moved indoors.

Garden Uses

Commonly grown in the tropics or subtropics as a low hedge, ground cover or on fences. Sunny areas in your garden. Pots/containers for patios, decks. Houseplant.