Hardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma)
Perennial
- Tough-as-nails ground cover, perfect for difficult to grow sites!
- Whimsical blue flowers bloom late summer through fall.
- Lush, green foliage turns maroon with the seasons.
- Attracts butterflies, bees, & other pollinators.
- Zones 5-9, sun/part sun, 12" tall x 18" wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Common name: Plumbago, hardy plumbago, leadwort
Zone: 5 - 9
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 9-12" X 12-18"
Flower color: Gentian blue
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Late summer - early fall
Bloom time:Summer, fall
Features:Low flammability, heat tolerant, ground covers, fall color, deer resistant, container plants, best sellers, best for beginners
Uses: Accent, alpine and rock gardens, container gardening, edging, erosion control or embankment, ground cover, massing, slopes
How to Grow
Light: Sun (> 6 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Water: Average needs. Water during hot, dry periods.
Spacing: 1 to 1.5 feet
Fertilizing: Fertilizing is generally unnecessary but can be applied in early spring if desired.
Winterizing: It would benefit from an extra layer of mulch for protection, especially in colder zones.
Maintenance & pruning: Spreads by rhizomes and can be somewhat aggressive in optimum growing conditions. Cut back to the ground in autumn. It can divide in late autumn or after the last spring frost.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
