Plumbago

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Perennial

Plant Family: Plumbaginaceae

Plant Description: This spreading, low-growing perennial is incredibly useful as a vigorous ground cover. Shiny, medium-green leaves turn bronze-red in autumn. 5-petaled, sky blue flowers appear in loose clusters from late July to late September, attracting a variety of pollinators. Grows well in sun or shade. Might be best used in a contained area, as it can grow aggressively and overtake less vigorous plants in some situations.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Perennial - Herbaceous

Plant Care: Perennial - Herbaceous (soft-stemmed plants that die back in winter and regrow in spring): Remove spent blooms to promote rebloom later. Some plants tend to flop over after the first bloom and attempt to regrow from the base; in these cases, the old stems can be cut away in summer. As plants become dormant in the fall, remove dead leaves and stems.

Special Considerations: Large patches can simply be mowed down once in late winter, before it begins to regrow in the spring.

Video: Cutting Down Herbaceous Perennials - Spring Cleanup

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 9-12" tall x 12-30" wide

Utah Native: No

Plant Select: No

Pollinator Friendly: Yes

Localscapes: Infill Plant, Park Strip Plant, Central Open Shape

Foliage Interest: No

Foliage Colors: Green

Bloom Colors: Blue

Bloom Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Bloom Period: Jul - Sep

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9

Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun), Full Shade (0-4 hrs sun), Part Shade (4-6 hrs morning sun), Part Sun (4-6 hrs afternoon sun)

Irrigation Requirement:

Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)

Salt Tolerant: Unknown

Deer Resistant: Yes

Garden Location:

Commercial Concepts
- Education Center Parking
- Education Center Plaza
- Education Center Staff Parking
- Garden Entrance
Design Path
- Scene or Unseen
Localscapes Path
- Localscapes Entry Beds
- Localscapes Exhibit
- Park Strip #4
Maintenance Path
- Rain Gardening
Neighborhood Landscapes
- Prudent Perennials

Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter