Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (Dwarf Plumbago, Blue Leadwood, Leadwort)


Botanical Information

FamilyPlumbaginaceae
GenusCeratostigma
Speciesplumbaginoides
CategoryPerennials
OriginNative to Western China.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone4 - 6a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7 - H5
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-20 to -15
Temperature (°F)-20 - (-10)
Height15 - 30 cm
Spread30 - 38 cm
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodJuly, August, September, October

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionLow-growing herbaceous perennial.
ID CharacteristicA dense mat of stems carrying oval leaves and blue flowers.
ShapeMat-forming, spreading.
LandscapeBanks,slopes, city, cottage/informal, beds, borders, and Mediterranean landscapes.
PropagationPropagate by division, cutting or by layering.
CultivationPlant in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. It is slow to emerge in the spring.
PestsPowdery mildew.
Notable SpecimensThe A. M. Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Trebah Garden Trust, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Leaf DescriptionOval leaves which turn red or purple in autumn.
Flower DescriptionBright blue flowers in late summer where the nectar is particularly attractive to butterflies.

Photographs