Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Ceratostigma larpentiae
- Phonetic Spelling
- ser-ah-toh-STIG-mah plum-bah-gin-OY-deez
- Description
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Award-winning Plumbago is an aggressively spreading low, horizontal, herbaceous perennial ground cover. A native of China, in its natural habitat, the plant can often be found in rocky places and foothills. Leaves have a beautiful bronze-red fall color, which contrasts beautifully with the sky blue flowers and forms a very attractive ground cover. However, the leaves do fall in the winter. Flowers resemble those of woodland phlox. Plumbago typically grows 6 to 8 inches tall on generally erect stems rising from the rhizomes. This plant is resistant to damage by deer. The genus name comes from the Greek words keras meaning a horn and stigma from the hornlike projection on the stigma of the flower.
Use as an under planting to shrubs or large perennials or with perennials that bloom early. Plumbago will fill in the void left by spent perennials. Its trailing, spreading habit make it a great choice as a spiller in a 'Thriller, Filler, Spiller' container.
It produces chemicals that inhibit the growth of weeds and other unwanted plants, which makes it an excellent choice as a ground cover.
Plumbago will do well in sandy and loamy soils. It prefers well-drained, dry or slightly moist soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. It grows in full sun or partial shade and appreciates some afternoon shade on hot summer days, but cannot grow in full shade. To winter over in cooler climates, provide a light winter mulch. Plant it in rocky areas in full sun. Space plants 10 to 16 inches apart when you plant. The plant has an aggressive root system and can spread freely, however is not considered invasive.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No diseases or insect issues. Powdery mildew is an occasional issue as well as Citrus mealybug.
Contact to this plant can cause contact dermatitis. Caution should be used when pruning, protective gloves should be worn.
Under the right conditions, it can spread aggressively.
When growing in Zone 5, ensure to use a mulch in the fall to protect from freezing temperatures.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ceratostigma
- Species:
- plumbaginoides
- Family:
- Plumbaginaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- This plant makes an excellent ground cover, spreads quickly.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Leaf Cutting
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North Central and South East China
- Distribution:
- Argentina, France, Italy, Austria
- Wildlife Value:
- Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 5 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Capsules pale yellowish brown. Seeds red-brown.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Plants produce a terminal cluster of dainty, 1/2 inch, 5-petaled, star-shaped gentian blue flowers in mid-summer to early fall. Flowers appear above the foliage over a long summer to frost bloom period.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Shiny, almost-platinum leaves; elongated oval 1.5 to 2 inches long; new growth is burgundy; copper, bronze tinge in fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Scales:
- No scales, covered in hair
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are slender, simple or branched, without bud scales, sparsely minutely hispid toward apex.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Poor Soil