Plumbago auriculata

RHS Plant Profile

Cape leadwort

Synonyms

Plumbago capensis

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

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An evergreen shrub to 4m or more (with support), with slender, scandent stems bearing light green, spoon-shaped leaves and terminal racemes of sky-blue, long-tubed flowers 15mm across

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Plumbaginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Climbing, Bushy
Potentially harmful: Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Skin irritant - Harmful if eatenexcept ripe fruit. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs): Skin irritant - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Plumbago can be annuals, perennials or scrambling evergreen shrubs, with simple leaves and short terminal racemes of salver-shaped flowers with 5 spreading lobes
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light, water freely when in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly . Keep barely moist when dormant and top-dress or repot in spring. Support stems. Can be grown outdoors in frost-free areas in fertile soil. May need restrictive pruning under glass

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 13-18°C in spring, or take semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-summer with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 12 in early spring

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free