As their name intimate , groundcover are plant that grow thick and spread to overcompensate the ground . However , the very characteristics that we seem for in a ground cover – matting , spreading , or vining — can also make them disagreeable to live with in the ornamental garden . Plumbago(Ceratostigma plumbaginoides ) is a spreading plant that embodies many of the best characteristics of a groundcover without repair to thuggish tendency . This industrial plant is comparatively underused in the Mid - Atlantic states , perhaps because it is deciduous . gardener may prefer more democratic evergreen plant groundcover , such as vinca , pachysandra , and English Hedera helix . Or , perhaps its many common names ( leadwort , perennial leadwort , plumbago , hardy plumbago , or dwarf plumbago ) confuse the ordinary menage nurseryman . More often than not , it is identify simply as either plumbago or leadwort . As for the descent of the name , it come from the Latinplumbum , which means lead . The plant was thought to be a therapeutic for lead toxic condition , allot to the writings of Pliny the Elder in the first century AD . While it may not cure precede poisoning , it does make a very in effect groundcover .
DESCRIPTION
hail from westerly China , plumbago is a deciduous , bloom herbaceous perennial with a low - growing , mat - spring habit . It spreads about 12 ” to 18 ” wide and grow 6 ” to 10 ” marvellous . In his bookHerbaceous Perennial Plants , 3rdEdition , world renowned horticulturist Dr. Allan Armitage describes it as “ a terrifying mintage , looking every bit as proficient in Athens , Georgia and Niagara , Ontario . ” As further evidence of its economic value in the landscape , plumbago was recognized as a Georgia Gold Medal Winner for perennial in 2006 .
Plumbago foliation is belated to seem in leaping . When it does sprout , the Modern 1 - 1/2 ” long leaves have a cherry-red tint that gives way to a medium - textured , sheeny , bright green color in summertime . One of the benefit of this plant is that the foliage looks fresh all summer long , regardless of the high temperature and humidness . Then , as temperature start to cool , the leave-taking turn a deep burnished shade of red in autumn .
All too often , flora labeled as blue - flowering twist out to be some shade of lilac-colored blue or even majestic . get hold a plant that flower a open , patent blue can be a challenge . Plumbago meets that challenge . Its delicacy ½ to ¾-inch flowers are an electrifying gentian blue , with a shape and people of color faintly reminiscent of timberland phlox or vinca . The flowers generally clump at the closing of thin , erect stems and last from summer , when many other perennial are finished blooming for the time of year , well into dip . cryptic scarlet calyx contrast with the acute spicy flowers and add extra colouring in autumn .
Plumbago spreads by rhizomes , but it is not invading . It ’s a moderate spreader in good garden soils . But , like all groundcovers , it does spread and should be watched to make certain it does n’t venture too far . It is believably substantially used in a spot where it either has ample way to broadcast over prison term or where it can be contained . If it does produce beyond its allotted space in the landscape , it ’s gentle to spade up , particularly if the soil is moist .
ethnic requirement
Plumbago prefers average to evenly damp , fat soil . Once it is established , it can tolerate juiceless soil and does not require any supplemental water beyond normal rain . It will not tolerate remain firm water . It is not finical about soil type or pH and will thrive in pathetic ground and unmanageable website .
Hardy in USDA zona 5 to 9 , plumbago does serious in full sun . It does tolerate light shade but tends not to bloom as well in shade as it does in full sun .
Plumbago is a toughened , low sustenance plant that need no shearing or pruning . The flowers are ego - cleaning , which intend no deadheading is require . The leafage drops off after the first frost and the stalk may be leave in home over winter . The new foliage will get over the quondam stems . However , if you favour a respectable garden , there ’s no problem with cutting the old stem back , either in fall or late winter . Because new foliage is late to come forth in spring , some gardener prefer to leave the old stems in place to denounce the place until new emergence appears .
OTHER RELATED PLUMBAGO SPECIES
Do n’t confound the groundcover form of graphite ( C. plumbaginoides ) with the bush form ( C. willmottianumor Chinese plumbago ) , which grows 2 to 3 foot tall and is stout in zones 7 to 9 . Another related to bush form of plumbago ( C. griffithii , or Burmese plumbago ) is little thanC. willmottianum , has deep aristocratical flowers , and is hardy in zones 6 to 8 .
Also , do not confuseC. plumbaginoideswithPlumbago aurticulata , a shrub that is native to South Africa . Commonly relate to as cape plumbago or cape leadwort , it is completely dissimilar from theCeratostigmaspecies . Plumbago aurticulatahas lighter blue flush and is only hardy to geographical zone 8 . Often establish in garden centers in the mid - Atlantic , it must be treated in this domain as an yearly or develop in a container and overwintered indoors .
PLUMBAGO PROPAGATION
Propagate plumbago by divide it or taking stalk cutting . Divide in spring before new growth appears . Space the graft about a foot apart . To advance rapid pick in between transplants , gently apply a slow - press release 12 - 6 - 6 fertilizer in the outpouring and again in the other summertime . To distribute using bow cutting off , take 3 ” to 4 ” foresighted semi - ripe cuttings during the summertime .
PESTS AND DISEASES
Plumbago has no serious disease or insect problems . Despite its attractive green leafage , deer and coney do n’t eat on it , which is huge plus in this expanse .
RECOMMENDED USE IN THE LANDSCAPE
ground cover are used primarily to “ knit ” the landscape together . With this finish in mind , use plumbago as :
Plumbago offers a long prime prison term and lawful depressed flowers , which are not usually found in the landscape . Its colourful decline foliage , drought margin , cervid resistance and lack of plague and disease problems make it a desirable industrial plant to add to the landscape . If , however , you are a aboriginal purist , keep in mind that this plant is not native . It does attract bee and butterfly but not to the extent some of our native plants do .
For more information on ground cover advise for Virginia landscape , see Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication 426 - 609 , “ Selecting Landscape Plants : Groundcovers . ”
resource
Herbaceous Perennial Plants , A Treatise on their designation , Culture and Garden Attributes , Third Edition ( Armitage , Allan M. , 2008 )
Latin for Gardeners(Harrison , Lorraine , 2012 )
Perennials , The Gardener ’s Reference(Carter , Susan ; Becker , Carrie ; and Lilly , Bob , 2007 )
The Well - Tended Perennial Garden , Planting and Pruning Techniques(DiSabato - Aust , Tracy , 2006 )
Chicago Botanic Garden Plant Informationchicagobotanic.org/plantcollections#plantfinder
Clemson Cooperative Extension Publication HGIC 1180,Perennial Leadwort
Georgia Gold Medal Plant Summary 1994 – 2010,Gold Medal Plant Summary
“ Selecting Landscape industrial plant : ground cover , ” Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication426 - 609
