Blue leadwood, Blue Plumbago, Perennial Plumbago, Leadwort
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Family: Plumbaginaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Blue. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid fall. Form: Spreading or horizontal.
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 0.4
Where it is found
Rocky places, often in foot-hills. Beijing Shi, Henan, Jiangsu, Shanxi, Zhejiang.
E. Asia - W. China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
An excellent ground cover between shrubs, at the front of the border and in a sunny rock garden. Plants are used to stabilize steep banks in warm climates.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Erosion control, Foundation, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Specimen. Prefers a light moderately fertile and retentive soil with good drainage, though it tolerates poor dry soils. Requires a sunny position. The plant has an invasive root system and can spread freely when well suited. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Extended bloom season in Zones 9A and above.
Propagating it: Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in the spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in the spring.
Best place to grow: Ground Cover;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist