Ceratostigma
Hardy plumbago, Shrubby plumbago
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 1m × 1m – 1.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are 8 species of these generally compact plants and they may be shrubby or perennial in character. They are valued for their generally blue flowers which appear in late summer and autumn and which often have a refined, rather gentle appearance. None of them are hardy throughout the UK and they need sunshine and well drained soil to do well. The flowers are in a range of blues. The most commonly encountered variety is Ceratostigma willmottianum, and there are variegated and gold forms now available though these may be slightly less hardy than the others.
- Flower colour
- Blue
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome, Round
- Height
- 0.5m – 1m
- Spread
- 1m – 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Rock garden, Mediterranean garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Structural, Coloured stems, Deer resistant, Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Some varieties are easycare (low/no maintenance)
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.
Found in
More Ceratostigma
Ceratostigma willmottianum
Chinese plumbago, Leadwort
Ceratostigma griffithii
Burmese plumbago
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Autumn flowering shrubby plumbago
Ceratostigma willmottianum Desert Skies = 'Palmgold'
Chinese plumbago, Leadwort
Ceratostigma willmottianum Forest Blue = 'Lice'
Chinese plumbago, Leadwort
Ceratostigma willmottianum 'Sapphire Ring'
Chinese plumbago