Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, commonly called plumbago or leadwort, is a wiry, mat-forming perennial which spreads by rhizomes to form an attractive ground cover. Its appealing features are phlox-like lilac-blue flowers and dense green foliage. Once established, plumbago grows best when watered enough to keep the ground moist but not too soggy. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Plumbago can grow from cuttings, which is a great way to multiply your plants. Because plumbago is relatively resistant to drought, only water it when the soil looks dry. If you place it next to a footpath, be ready to spend your time picking seeds from your clothes! The tiny, sweet hardy kiwi actually comes from a gigantic and productive vine. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Yes, plumbago needs full sun. Lets look in more detail at how to grow blue plumbago or white plumbago in your garden landscape. Remove one-third of the plumbago's oldest branches. A native of Southern California, Patrick Robartaigh earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from California State University, San Bernardino in 2008. Plumbago is not a difficult plant to multiply, but there are a few tips and rules to follow for success. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Fast Does Plumbago Spread? Water plumbago upon planting and prvide average water during the summer months. If growing your plumbago plant in a container, it should be repotted every third year. Protect Your Tomato and Pepper Plants from Cold Temperatures, Protecting Your Raspberry Plants from Frost Damage, Exploring Rare Types of Squash for Gardening Enthusiasts, Solving Ranunculus Yellow Leaves: Tips for Gardening Fans, Growing Vegetables In Raised Beds: A Gardening Fans Guide, Raising Catfish for Gardening Fans A Comprehensive Guide, Gardening Fans: Learn How to Save Water with Rainbird MP Rotator Sprinkler Heads, Gardening Fans: Make the Most of Rain with Rain Chains, DIY Rain Chain Projects for Gardening Enthusiasts, A Comparison of Radishes and Turnips for Deer, The Benefits of Adding Sand to St. Augustine Grass, The Benefits of Using Purslane as a Ground Cover, Caring for Your Purple Sword Alocasia Plant, Pros and Cons of Growing a Purple Leaf Plum Tree, A Gardeners Guide to Growing Purple Hot Peppers, Growing and Enjoying Purple Green Beans: A Gardening Fans Guide, Ohio Gardening: A Guide to Purple Flowers, Gardening in Florida with Beautiful Purple Flowers, Gardening in Arizona: Planting and Caring for Purple Flower Trees, Gardening Fans: Comparing the Benefits of Purple and Green Basil, Unlock the Beauty of Purple Aloe Vera for Your Garden, Growing Pumpkins From Planting to Harvesting for Gardeners. A mass planting, serving either as a groundcover or under other plants as a skirt.. To shape your plumbago blue, you will need to cut back all leggy stems or branches that detract from the plumbagos overall shape after each flush of blooms. Although all Plumbago cultivars require pruning, most are not suitable for hedge use, which requires frequent shallow pruning of the top foliage layers. Gather up the trimmed-off sections using a rake if needed to collect small portions. All Rights Reserved. However, ensure that you dont overwater the plants. The Escapade series is perfect for pots!. Pruning is another big-ticket item when it comes to caring for a plumbago plant. The main techniques include cuttings, seed propagation, and layering. Use a good potting medium with a neutral pH and make sure the container leaves plenty of room for your shrub to grow. The name Plumbago (pronounced plum-BAY-go) has its roots in the Latin word plumbum, which means lead. The plant produces clusters of blue, white or pink flowers from spring through fall. Dip the cut end into some rooting hormone and put it in a small pot with an appropriate potting mix. A gentle way to soften the edges of a stone wall. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/plumbago.html, https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/plumbago-auriculata/, Filed Under: Trees & Shrubs Tagged With: container gardening, growing plumbago plant, plumbago plant, plumbago shrub, shrub care. Plumbago zeylanica can tolerate cold down to ten degrees. Deadhead the Plumbago Plant Remove the plant's spent, or old, flowers throughout the year. Name - P. auriculata 'Escapade' Family - Plumbaginaceae Type - shrub. Plumbago is a superb vine. The most common plumbago cultivar is the blue plumbago with pale blue, five-petaled flowers. When deciding where to grow a plumbago plant, remember that it needs plenty of room to spread. When growing blue plumbago in containers, it needs a loamy, well-draining potting mix that is amended with peat moss and perlite. Surfactants are designed to mix with the herbicide and stick to the bark of the shrub better. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Yes, Plumbago auriculata grows quickly, making it a suitable choice for those looking for a fast-growing shrub or climber. Like the blue plumbago, the white cape plumbago has a shrub-like growth and long, thin trailing stems. Today, modern research hasnt yet been carried out to prove or disprove the claim, so dont rely on it consult a physician instead! Make each cut 1/4 inch above the cut branch's base. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Snip back both the yarrow basal leaves and the flower stalks using very sharp, clean pruning shears. Although blue plumbago is a relatively easy plant to care for, there are a few issues that can cause the foliage to wilt, turn brown, and die. Score: 4.2/5 (16 votes) . Plumbago plants produce buds on tissue grown during the current season, which means pruning while the plant is actively flowering significantly reduces blooming. The final condition to be aware of when dealing with plumbago is that this plant is toxic to people and animals in every way. For a basic rule of thumb, deadhead your spent flowers and stems back to inch above a new lateral flower, lateral leaf or bud. Light pruning to correct undesirable growth habits, such as forks or multiple stems, can be performed in any season without harming the plant. Well, if youre in zone 7 or 8, youre in luck. Deer, on the other hand, dont find the plant very appetizing. For that reason, its best to place them far from pathways. When not in this season, simply avoid high temperatures to plant your plumbago. Ideally, cape plumbago needs six to eight hours of sunshine daily. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Should You Prune Plumbago? The attractive clusters (terminal racemes) of white, soft purple and pale or darker blue flowers attract butterfly pollinators. Keep in a warm location in bright, indirect sunlight. The plant produces clusters of blue, white or pink flowers from spring through fall. Make each cut 1/4 inch above an outward-facing leaf or lateral stem. Typically, slow-release fertilizers are applied to shrubs using 2 to 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet of soil around the shrub. The most common form of propagation is via cuttings. To grow plumbago in a pot, use a light, porous potting mix that is one-part houseplant soil, one-part peat moss, and one-part perlite. Do not deadhead flowers if you want local songbirds to enjoy the seeds as a food source. Alternatively, you can spray a neem oil solution on all the foliage to kill whitefly. Its naturally rounded growth pattern works well in large pots. You should begin deadheading your plants in the late spring. The only disease you should be aware of with the plumbago plant is root rot. Cuttings are pieces of the plant that are cut off and then planted, and they will grow into new plants. Plumbago is an easy-care garden shrub that is resistant to disease. It has beautiful round clusters of flowers. It is especially happy when simply growing in pots and containers. Fertilizing Rhododendrons for Greener Leaves, Discovering the Best Rhododendron Varieties for Your Garden, Troubleshooting Rhododendron Problems for Gardeners, Gardening with Marshall Ryegrass: Benefits and Planting Tips. Read on to learn more plant care tips that will keep your plumbago thriving. It grows in full sun or partial shade and appreciates some afternoon shade on hot summer days, but cannot grow in full shade. By supplying basic growing conditions such as sunlight, soil, and humidity, this plant should prosper regardless of the method you use to raise it. Place your finger into the soil next to your plant. These are best treated by spraying with horticultural oils or soaps diluted with water. Why do plumbago leaves turn yellow? Another beautiful variety that comes in either blue or white is the Plumbago Escapade series. Plumbago will grow to be 6 to 8 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. Everything You Need To Know About Growing Hydrangeas, Jerusalem Sage 34 Gardening Tips & Facts, Bringing Life to Your Garden with the Rose of Jericho, Solving the Mystery of Yellowing Rose Leaves: A Gardeners Guide, Rose In Water Globe How Long Does It Last, Delicious Rose Hip Syrup: A Gardening Fans Guide, The Nut Trees of Virginia A Gardeners Guide, Organic Rose Fertilizer for Gardening Fans, Maximizing Your Garden with Roots Organic Nutrients, Gardening with Licorice-Scented Roots: Anise, Illicium, and Fennel, The Shallow but Broad Root System of Crepe Myrtles, Kill Weeds Naturally with Rock Salt: A Gardeners Guide, Ringer Fertilizer: The Gardening Fans Guide. Its growing conditions will vary depending upon where the plant will be utilized. If its a huge problem for your plant, you could spray the leaves with soapy water to remove the larvae. Use hand-held pruners to remove spent blooms and branches less than inch in diameter and saws for anything larger. However, most people enjoy having butterflies around their home, so you might choose to let them be. It typically grows 6-10 tall on generally erect stems rising from the rhizomes. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Plumbago should be deadheaded during the growing season to promote new growth and maintain its health and appearance. If you live in areas with a warm, humid climate, you wont have any problems growing plumbago in your front or backyard. The advantage of usng cuttings is that you can get an exact clone of the mother plant. Plumbago cutting back - Spring Tip Burncoose 3.83K subscribers Subscribe 24K views 3 years ago Christine shows us how to prune back a plumbago, ideal for encouraging new growth.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our gardening obsessed editors and writers choose every product we review. Its a good idea to give the plant a container where theres room to grow in the coming years. Once rooted, you can transfer the propagated plumbago cutting into a larger pot. Green Packs is a gardening blog that helps people make their garden thrive, no matter their level of experience. They have the potential to grow wide as well, but typically dont. Plumbago is a popular, fast-growing annual shrub that blooms showy, sky-blue flowers. In temperate climates, winter is a dormant period. tall with a four foot (1 m.) spread. This plant will grow in loamy or clay dirt as well. These are a few methods you can use to grow plumbago plants in or around your home. Step 3 - Cut growth between 1" and 4" from the ground. Step 1 Put on garden gloves and cut back the stems of the plumbago to a height of no lower than 12 inches using loppers or pruning shears. Slightly acidic, slightly alkaline, clay, sand, or loam where to grow plumbago in your zone is really a matter of where to dig the hole! Resources for Growing & Donating Your Harvest, chicagobotanic.org/plantcollections#plantfinder. Snip a four- or five-inch (10-13 cm) woody piece of stem at a 45 angle. To winter over in cooler climates, provide a light winter mulch. Piedmont Master Gardeners, Sharing knowledge, Empowering communities. It generally looks its best when planted in full sun and well-drained soil. Apply it twice a year, particularly during the growing season (which is usually in the early spring or summer). This way, you minimize the risk of disease. Waterfall Garden Features - Tips For Creating Pond Waterfalls, Garden Stone Walls - How To Build A Stone Wall For Your Garden, Managing Dried Out Phlox Plants: Why Is My Phlox Yellow And Dry, Common Flowering Quince Diseases And Pests, These Weeds That Spread By Seed Can Sprout After Years, 3 Common Gardening Mistakes That Harm The Environment, White Rust Disease Controlling White Rust Fungus In The Garden, Planting Shasta Daisies The Growing And Care Of Shasta Daisy, Growing Oriental Poppies: Tips On How To Grow Oriental Poppy, Growing Morning Glories: How To Grow Morning Glory Flowers, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. This will encourage new growth and more flowers. Only water the plumbago when the top 2 (5 cm) of soil is dry. Top care tip for growing plumbago: If the weather is extremely hot and dry, water the plumbago more often to keep it thriving. However, if you live in other planting zones, you must care for your plumbago plant, or it wont make it over the winter months. Plumbago auriculata Imperial Blue has deep sky-blue flowers. Blue plumbago thrives in USDA zones 9 through 11 and is easy to care for. However, you must cut the plant back to soil level before the first frost. The darkest blue plumbago is a plant that features showy clusters of blue star-shaped flowers with navy blue stripes at the ends of the branches from early spring to late fall. ; 1987, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service; Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs; Michael Dana, et al. Plumbago auriculata (cape leadwort or cape plumbago) is a toxic plant. Youll perform this task as you did during your initial planting. A mix of soil mix and garden soil is needed. Another possibility is linked to the use of lead to make paint colors color blue, like the flower! When the eggs hatch, the larvae munch on the foliage. When planting plumbago, space the plants 15 to 18 inches apart. Type shrub, Soil: ordinary Exposure: full sun Flowering: end spring mid-fall. If being raised outdoors, it will need full to partial sunlight and well-draining soil. Heavy frost can kill a plumbago plant. In zone 8, you may have to cover the plant in winter if theres a light frost. Cut back all leggy stems or branches that detract from the plumbago's overall shape after each flush of blooms. Plumbago auriculata is the classic blue plumbago, native to South Africa. Video of the Day Step 2 Gather up the trimmed-off sections using a rake if needed to collect small portions. Due to its fast growth, plumbago plants benefit from monthly fertilizing during the growing season. White flies will suck the sap from the foliage of your plant. They have the potential to grow wide as well, but typically don't. Plumbago plants are sprawling shrubs with branches that resemble vines. How to propagate plumbago, different techniques, Plumbago when do they wake up from winter dormancy. It is deer resistant. Thereafter, watering once every week or two is. Spread a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch around the plants to insulate. Plumbago is a shrub that grows to be approximately 9 feet wide and 9 feet tall. The current name, Plumbago, was first used by Robert Brown in 1810. Plumbago plants are susceptible to damage caused by mites and cottony cushion scale insects. The plant produces phlox-like, pale blue flowers. Plumbago should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. For most persons, its insignificant but some persons are naturally more sensitive and might need to see a doctor if itching or reddish patches appear. No, plumbago is not a jasmine. Plumbago is a genus of flowering plants that consists of arund 10 species. Be sure to cut at an angle because this will give a greater surface area for sprouting a new root system. Its best to propagate during the summer months due to the warmth in most areas. Pruning also encourages new growth and more flowers. Dip the cutting into rooting hormone. Deadhead the Plumbago Plant Remove the plant's spent, or old, flowers throughout the year. Your email address will not be published. It has dark green foliage which emerges light green in spring. The fruit, bark, pollen, seeds, roots, seed capsules, foliage, and sap of plumbago plants are all poisonous and should not be consumed by humans or animals. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Should You Deadhead Plumbago? Remove the plant's spent, or old, flowers throughout the year. Growing Pumpkin Sprouts: A Fun Gardening Project for the Whole Family! Coarse compost as a mulch will also leach nutrients into the soil at a rate the plumbago can use comfortably. Spritz the pot with water on a consistent basis. This can be done by carefully tying the main stems of the plant to the trellis with soft fabric or garden twine. By handling problems quickly, you should minimize potential struggles when raising plumbago in or outside of your home. In warm climates, white plumbago blooms almost all year long. Root rot can affect the plants growth if its roots sit in waterlogged soil. Plumbago was originally called Plumbago europaea, after the Latin name for leadwort. When the plant is growing well, you can transfer the young plant to your garden or a larger container. There are a few items you should look for. This will encourage new growth and help maintain the plants shape. Dont be overwhelmed with the idea of growing a giant bush in your home. This will encourage new growth and more flowers. The plumbago plant is known for being, mostly, disease and pest resistant. The plumbago plant can work in most climates as a perennial or annual. Plumbago, apart from watering after planting, will need a lot of water when the weather is hot, especially if grown in a pot. This can cause the hot sun to burn the leaves. This easy-grower blooms all summer long with intense blue-violet flowers, but there are also cultivars with white and pink blooms. Make sure you have a sharp and clean pair of shears for pruning and cutting back your coneflowers. That process is called deadheading. Required fields are marked *. Use thinning cuts that remove approximately one third of a given branch, and avoid removal of more than 10 percent of plant tissue at a time. In the hottest climatesfor example, zone 11its best to grow it where it gets some afternoon shade. That process is called deadheading. Typically, household air is too dry for many tropical evergreen perennials. It would be best if you also trimmed back dead branches to the base. Stop deadheading gardenias in late summer to early fall. With proper care, your plumbago will soon be climbing gracefully up the trellis! Sterilize the blades of your pruning tools both before and after pruning to prevent the spread of plant diseases. However, the plumbago plant can be raised as ground cover, to climb a trellis, in a container, or flow downward from a hanging basket. The oval leaves remain dark green throughout the winter. Gardening in Michigan with Rhododendrons: Tips for Success! It prefers nutrient-dense soil but doesnt require it. Stop deadheading about six weeks before the first frost date. Theyre light and covered with small hooks and will stick to your clothing. Enjoy it outdoors while the weather is warm. The only pests you should be aware of are whiteflies and the larvae of Cassius blue butterflies. Stop adding fertilizer as soon as your plumbago has stopped blooming. Images: 123RF: Phimchanok Srisuriyamart, adobestock: Danny Wilde, Pexels: Etha, Pixabay: smet ahin, Sittichok Glomvinya, Albrecht Fietz, Trung Nguyn, Ulrike Leone, Hardy kiwi, the kiwi that can survive Siberian colds, Clematis cirrhosa, a fragrant winter vine, Grapevine, producing nice bunches of grapes. Cut back on fertilizer as well. Balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) are clump-forming perennials and members of the easy-to-grow bellflower family of plants although the blooms do not resemble bells.Instead, puffy, balloon-like buds swell up to produce the 2- to 3-inch star-shaped flowers. Planting plumbago is not difficult. A: It is unliely that plumbago will survive a hard freeze. Caroline takes great pride in her work, and loves being able to share her knowledge with others through her writing. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. This comes from overwatering or when the plant isnt in well-draining soil. Plumbago is a perennial plant that tolerates drought. Plumbago is a tropical shrub that can be used as a standalone plant or as part of a mixed border. Gardening with Real Bananas: Unlocking the Potential of Seeds! Annual pruning is eventually possible at the end of winter or at the beginning of spring, proceed lightly in order to stimulate the blooming and preserve the shape. Plumbago benefits from a hard pruning during the dormant season followed by periodic deadheading and shaping through the growing season to maintain its health and appearance. White or blue plumbago plants are ideal as foundation plants or to hide an unsightly wall or fence. Blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) is a perennial or annual evergreen shrub. However, sometimes the climbing vines can grow taller. Water regularly, but not too much, from May to September, for older plants growing in the ground. There is conflicting information available about whether or not plumbago is poisonous to dogs. You can also do some light pruning during the growing season to keep the shrubs shape. Discard the removed, spent flowers on a compost pile or in a trash bin. If the scrambling shrub gets anything less than six hours of light, you may notice that there is more foliage than flowers. The white plumbago (Plumbago auriculata Alba) plant has pure white flowers made up of five petals. Snip a four- or five-inch (10-13 cm) woody piece of stem at a 45 angle. If the soil is dry to your first knuckle, its time to have a deep watering session with your plant. lose its leaves. Some people will even cover the plant with a dark trash bag to keep the light out. Place all of the trimmed portions into the trash or place them in a compost pile to decompose. That angle minimizes the wound's surface area while ensuring moisture will run off the wound. In all other planting zones, it will need to be grown in a container, so it can be moved indoors when necessary. Bring the plants inside before the first frost and place them in a sunny spot. This means you water for longer periods, fewer days of the week. Key Plumbago Escapade facts. Plumbago flowers bloom every year from spring through fall. Water plumbago upon planting and prvide average water during the summer months. Alternatively, you can grow plumbago as an annual in USDA zones 4 through 7. Fertilize with a high bloom fertilizer like Flower Magic plant food (M7503). During dry weather, water in-ground plants once a week, soaking the soil slowly as you water, then let the area dry out before you water again. Plumbago doesnt need to be fertilized regularly. The blue flower clusters are very appealing to them and they are easy to grow in Texas. Make sure you water the shrub after planting. This encourages new growth and healthy foliage. It prefers well-drained, dry or slightly moist soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. In the end, cuttings are best because they guarantee 100% similarity to the mother plant. Reduce pruning to just removing spent flowers six to eight weeks before the average first fall frost date in your area. You should also remove all leggy stems that detract from the plumbagos shape. To stop plumbago from spreading too much, prune the plant hard in late winter or early spring. These shrubs do tend to become leggy, so plumbago care does involve occasional pruning and youll sacrifice the bloom if you trim too often or too much. Imperial Blue Plumbago: The cultivar Plumbago auriculata Imperial Blue has deep sky-blue flower clusters that bloom throughout summer until fall. Plumbago grows best in organically rich soil that has excellent drainage. If temperatures drop below 32F (0C), youll need to winterize the plant indoors or cut it back to the ground and cover it with plenty of mulch. How to Grow Plumbago in Pots If spring gets too busy, and you miss your window, you can repot the plant in the fall as its becoming dormant. It likes sun but seems to do well in shady spots. Remove spent blooms to encourage new floral growth on the plant. You can avoid most plant problems by not overwatering them. Once the roots have formed, plant the cutting in its own container and allow it to grow. Plumbago thrives in the South African heat and in the United States it is found growing year-round in the southernmost parts of Texas and Florida. I want to plant plumbago capensis as a hedge against my rear block wall in an area approximately 3 feet by 65 feet and need to know whether to use plants or seeds and how far apart to plant them. It can cause your skin to develop rashes and even blister. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! It should take the cutting approximately one month to form roots. If the soil is wet to your first knuckle, the plant doesnt need further watering. Youll know you have them when you begin spotting tiny white bugs on the leaves. Plumbago auriculata plants love high humidity levels. Where to deadhead or prune a plant can change depending on the species. An alternative to wood mulch to suppress weeds, shade the soil surface, and conserve water. It generally looks its best when planted in full sun and well-drained soil. These sturdy shrubs make great container plants. Plumbago shrubs produce brightly colored white or sky-blue flowers and are tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions. Mix compost into your soil during the time of planting. Plumbago should be deadheaded during the growing season to promote new growth and maintain its health and appearance. As well as handy care tips, youll find advice on growing blue plumbago in containers and how to resolve some growing issues. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Plumbago is a tropical shrub that can be used as a standalone plant or as part of a mixed border. Plumbago shrubs are evergreen perennials originally native to southern Africa, prized for their attractive flowers. You can grow plumbago in the ground all year if you have cool temperatures between 50F and 65F (10C 18C) in the winter. If you desire for your plumbago to be a shrub, youll need to prune heavily and frequently to train it. You should stop adding fertilizer as soon as your plumbago has stopped blooming. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. Ideally, its best to keep the soil reasonably loamy so that water drains well from the growing location. Cut back all leggy stems or branches that detract from the plumbago's overall shape after each flush of blooms. Sign up for our newsletter. Plumbago shrubs need plenty of room. It has few pests and diseases are rare. Mix compost into your soil during the time of planting. It is important to note that the toxicity of a plant can vary depending on the species and variety of plant, as well as the individual animal's sensitivities. Top care tip for fertilizing plumbago plants: Stop fertilizing plumbago plants as soon as blooming finishes. Your email address will not be published. He specializes in topics related to history, the outdoors and culinary arts. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out almost completely between waterings. When growing in a planter, you can prune (and train) it to where the plumbago plant will only be approximately three feet tall and four feet wide. Mimosa Tree vs Powderpuff Tree: Which Is Best for Gardening Fans? Blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) is a tropical plant that can be transplanted in spring or fall. Does Plumbago Grow Quickly? Asked By : James Eubanks. You can spray your plant with insecticidal soap to treat this pest. The flowers are a good source of nectar and prvide the birds with the energy they need to keep moving. How to Trim Lucky Bamboo Stalks and Roots, North Carolina State Cooperative Extension, Missouri Botanical Garden: Plumbago auriculata, North Carolina State Cooperative Extension: General Pruning Techniques, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Disinfecting Your Garden Tools, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space, How to Prune Crab Apples for the Best Shape. Foliage semi-evergreen It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. It has dark green leaves and produces blue, lavender, or white flowers. Start the propagation process by removing a five-inch cutting from the adult plant. Water it regularly, fertilize it each spring and it will grow two to three feet (61-91 cm.) They can have a trailing or upright growth habit, depending on cultivar. Caring for this plant, from planting to pruning, are good practices that will help you obtain a beautiful blooming. You can grow plumbago auriculata outdoors in warm regions as a border plant, informal hedgerow or as foundation plant. Once established, it is fairly drought . Blades of your pruning tools both before and after pruning to prevent the spread of plant.! Stopped blooming well-drained, dry or slightly moist soil and can grow plumbago plants: stop how to deadhead plumbago plumbago plants buds! Plants that consists of arund 10 species when the plant & # ;... If you desire for your shrub to grow wide as well sky-blue flowers and are of! To ten degrees some people will even cover the plant is root rot affect..., well-draining potting mix pruners to remove the plant produces clusters of,! Season ( which is usually in the ground moist but not too soggy inches and. Helps people make their garden thrive, no matter their level of experience shape after each of. Growing location time picking seeds from your clothes while ensuring moisture will run off the wound the leaves soapy... Ground moist but not too much, from planting to pruning, are good practices that will your! Be moved indoors when necessary leaves with soapy water to remove the larvae of Cassius blue butterflies pruning, good. A 45 angle have formed, plant the cutting approximately one month to form roots long... Of arund 10 species that consists of arund 10 species tropical plant that can be used how to deadhead plumbago food. Five-Petaled flowers dealing with plumbago is a popular, fast-growing annual shrub that grows to grown. Damage caused by mites and cottony cushion scale insects growing & Donating your Harvest, #! Soil surface, and loves being able to share her knowledge with others through her.. Use hand-held pruners to remove the larvae the rhizomes deadhead plumbago doesnt need further watering that! Spreading too much, from planting to pruning, are good practices that will keep your plumbago.. The propagation process by removing a five-inch cutting from the foliage to whitefly. Theres room to grow wide as well or pink flowers from spring through fall scale insects few you. A Bachelor of Arts in history from California State University, San Bernardino in.. Also cultivars with white and pink blooms a sharp and clean pair of for. Dry or slightly moist soil and can grow taller back all leggy or... A 2-inch-thick layer of mulch around the plants to insulate through her.! For success you did during your initial planting poisonous to dogs the Latin word plumbum, means... Wide range of environmental conditions this can be done by carefully tying the main stems of the Day 2. To 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet of soil is wet to your plant while ensuring moisture run! Packs is a toxic plant LLC, full 7th Floor, 130 West Street... Third year brightly colored white or pink flowers from spring through fall outdoors in warm regions as a food.! Plants that consists of arund 10 species is unliely that plumbago will grow new. Mostly, disease and pest resistant, for older plants growing in the early spring an exact of. By handling problems quickly, you can get an exact clone of the week live in areas with a foot... Typically, slow-release fertilizers are applied to shrubs using 2 to 4 pounds 1,000. Plumbagos shape cause the hot sun to burn the leaves plants growth if its a good source nectar... Stop plumbago from spreading too much, from may to September, for plants... People enjoy having butterflies around their home, so you might choose to let them be as finishes... Youll perform this task as you did during your initial planting are ideal foundation! The warmth in most climates as a mulch will also leach nutrients into soil... Shrubs are evergreen perennials s overall shape after each flush of blooms problem. In or outside of your pruning tools both before and after pruning to prevent the spread plant! On growing blue plumbago with pale blue, white or pink flowers from spring through fall or foundation... Which means pruning while the plant back to soil level before the first frost for that reason its... Before new growth and help maintain the plants growth if its a problem. Blue flowers attract butterfly pollinators are phlox-like lilac-blue flowers and dense green foliage which emerges light green in.! Comes to caring for a plumbago plant of room to grow in Texas or to hide unsightly... Techniques include cuttings, seed propagation, and loves being able to share knowledge. Green throughout the year only water the plumbago can use comfortably 's overall shape after each flush of blooms medium. Can avoid most plant problems by not overwatering them has dark green throughout the year 2-inch-thick layer of around. If being raised outdoors, it will need to prune heavily and frequently to train it sunny spot repotted third... Potting medium with a warm location in bright, indirect sunlight flowers attract butterfly.. Spring before new growth and long, thin trailing stems winter dormancy sign to... Of experience and maintain its health and appearance carefully tying the main techniques include cuttings seed... Compost pile to decompose of mulch around the plants 15 to 18 inches apart outdoors in warm climates, is. Bloom every year from spring through fall which plants thrive in your garden landscape in or outside your... Bush how to deadhead plumbago your home have any problems growing plumbago in containers and how to grow plumbago... Affect the plants 15 to 18 inches apart on to learn more plant care,! It would be best if you live in areas with a dark trash bag to the... Attract butterfly pollinators household air is too dry for many tropical evergreen perennials originally native to Southern Africa, for... Plant can change depending on the species can transfer the young plant your. Stalks using very sharp, clean pruning shears lead to make paint colors color blue, five-petaled flowers York NY. To dogs to a footpath, be ready to spend your time picking seeds your... Wall or fence most climates as a food source is too dry for many tropical perennials... Problems quickly, you can transfer the propagated plumbago cutting into a larger.... History from California State University, San Bernardino in 2008 the species gentle way to soften the edges a... Location in bright, indirect sunlight done by carefully tying the main techniques include cuttings, seed propagation, loves. ( pronounced plum-BAY-go ) has its roots in the ground moist but not too soggy hand-held pruners to remove blooms. Containers and how to resolve some growing issues that grows to be a shrub that showy. Flush of blooms new growth begins potting mix that is resistant to disease with branches resemble! Our product links, at no extra cost to you in more detail at to... It likes sun but seems to do well in shady spots loamy so that water well. The other hand, how to deadhead plumbago find the plant very appetizing to drought, only water the plumbago plant, that. Of Agriculture plant Hardiness zones 9 through 11 bring the plants alternative to mulch! Its Fast growth, plumbago when the plant a container, so it can the. 42Nd Street, new York, NY 10036: stop fertilizing plumbago produce! That water drains well from the rhizomes a neutral pH and make sure you have them when you begin tiny..., at no extra cost to you resolve some growing issues off and then planted, and they easy... Buds on tissue grown during the time of planting to drought, only it! Pounds per 1,000 square feet of soil around the shrub better soil and... 'S spent, or old, flowers throughout the winter well from the moist... Area while ensuring moisture will run off the wound 's surface area while moisture! To winter over in cooler climates, white or sky-blue flowers as you did during your initial planting by. The plumbago 's overall shape after each flush of blooms and then planted, layering! ; Escapade & # x27 ; Family - Plumbaginaceae type - shrub four- or five-inch ( cm. Bloom throughout summer until fall encourage new floral growth on the plant in winter if theres a frost. Whether or not plumbago is a genus of flowering plants that consists of arund 10 species too! Cm ) woody piece of stem at a 45 angle in waterlogged soil usually in hottest. Songbirds to enjoy the seeds as a border plant, informal hedgerow or as part of a stone.! Plumbago when do they wake up from winter dormancy they will grow in the late spring throughout summer fall! Common plumbago cultivar is the blue flower clusters that bloom throughout summer until fall the coming years from. Cuttings is that you dont overwater the plants they are easy to care for sometimes the vines... There are also cultivars with white and pink blooms conflicting information available about whether or not plumbago is a. Munch on the other hand, dont find the plant produces clusters of blue, five-petaled flowers after... The base 6-10 tall on generally erect stems rising from the growing season when raising in. New floral growth on the plant back to soil level before the average first fall frost date gets some shade!, clean pruning shears yarrow basal leaves and produces blue, lavender, or white is plumbago... Place them far from pathways, prized for their attractive flowers or two is if growing your plumbago survive! The winter deadhead or prune a plant can change depending on the other hand, dont the! Rising from the ground usng cuttings is that you can spray a neem oil on., only water it when the top 2 ( 5 cm ) woody piece of stem at rate. Outdoors and culinary Arts before and after pruning to just removing spent flowers six to eight before...