Ceratostigma plumbaginoides

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hardy blue-flowered leadwort

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hardy blue-flowered leadwort RHS 1997
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Other common names

blue ceratostigma

Synonyms

Plumbago larpentiae
Ceratostigma larpentiae

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A low-growing, mat-forming herbaceous perennial with spreading roots, bearing oval-shaped green leaves turning red or purple in the autumn. Clusters of rich blue flowers appear from late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Plumbaginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Ceratostigma can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or herbaceous perennials, with simple leaves which usually colour well in autumn, and short terminal or axillary spikes of salver-shaped blue flowers in late summer and autumn
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by rooting softwood cuttings in spring or propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Banks and slopes

Pruning

Cut back to ground level any shoots that get frost damaged

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and powdery mildews