Plumbago, Perennial (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)

Plumbago, Perennial Plant Features

Plumbago is a bit of a sleeper plant in the garden: It just sits there all spring and summer, then suddenly erupts into color in late July or early August. The show starts with a display of attractive true-blue flowers that sit daintily upon the foliage. Once the blooms begin to appear, they continue on and off until hard frost. Plumbago's foliage puts on the second act of the show, turning shades of bronze and red as the days get shorter and night temperatures cool. The contrast of the red foliage against the blue flowers is simply stunning. Plumbago grows 12 inches tall and can spread 18 inches wide making it an ideal groundcover for almost any garden situation. The plants are relatively deer resistant. Hardy from zones 5-9.

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Plumbago, Perennial Growing Instructions

Plumbago grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It tolerates shade, but doesn't bloom as profusely and may not color up as well in the autumn. That said, some gardeners prefer planting plumbago in a bit of shade because it can be a fast spreader when it's happy; keeping it out of full sun can slow the growth a little. In hot-summer areas, such as the Deep South, it prefers some protection from the hot afternoon sun.

Plumbago is not recommended for human or animal consumption.

  • Water

    Medium water needs

  • Light

    Outside: Part sun

    Outside: Sun

  • Colors

    Blue

  • Special Features

    Deer/rabbit resistant

    Groundcover

Complement your Plumbago, Perennial

Artemisia
The gray foliage of Artemisia provides contrast to the blue flowers of Plumbago.

Daylily
If you want a colorful, low maintenance slope or hillside interplant Daylily and Plumbago.

Rose, Knock Out
Use Plumbago as a ground cover in a bed filled with Knock Out Rose and enjoy the color show.