Hardy Plumbago

Hardy Plumbago, Ceratostigma

True blue flowers in the garden are few and far between. This creeping perennial is not only easy to grow, but it also offers up beautiful blue flowers in summer.

Growing

Hardy plumbago grows best in full sun but survives with partial shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It is moderately drought tolerant once established. Divide in spring.

Tips

This quick-growing plant makes an excellent and tough groundcover. Hardy plumbago also makes a wonderful addition between rocks, under high-canopy trees, trailing from retaining walls or planted along walkways.

Recommended

C. plumbaginoides is a woody plant with erect stems. The foliage, which starts out light green highlighted with purple and becomes darker green as the outdoor temperature rises, turns bronzy red in fall.

Also called: leadwort

Features: blue flowers; attractive habit; fall color

Height: 7–12"

Spread: 24–36"

Hardiness: zones 5–8

Notes: Hardy plumbago can be used as a perennial cascading plant in containers.