EVERGREEN
Plumbago auriculata
FULL SUN
SEMI-SHADE
SEMI FROST HARDY
MEDIUM WATER REQUIREMENTS
FAST GROWER
ATTRACTS BIRDS
ATTRACTS INSECTS
FLOWER COLOUR:
AVERAGE SIZE:
3m x 3m
MAXIMUM SIZE:
6m x 5m
FLOWERING TIME:
J F M A M J J A S O N D
FRUITING TIME:
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Plumbago auriculata
DESCRIPTION
A resilient and attractive scrambling shrub that is versatile and used in gardens throughout the world. It has delicate, pale green leaves and produces masses of powder blue or white flowers throughout summer.
Plumbago naturally scrambles up nearby trees, but can be grown as a groundcover, clipped into a hedge, espalier or topiary.
NATURAL HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION
Scrub, thicket and valley bushveld.WILDLIFE & ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS
Sunbirds are often seen feeding on the nectar-rich flowers.Plumbago is a larval host plant to two species of butterfly.
WATER REQUIREMENTS
Water moderately in summer but keep fairly dry in winter.Feed regularly with a slow-release fertiliser.
Enrich the plant with compost and mulch well.
MAINTENANCE
Feed regularly with a slow-release fertiliser.Enrich the plant with compaost and mulch well.
The plant responds well to pruning and will flower more profusely. Cut back at the end of winter.
If damaged by frost, the plant will recover rapidly in spring. Simply cut away the affected branches.
LANDSCAPING USES
Plumbago naturally scrambles and can be grown as a groundcover.The plant can be clipped into a low-growing hedge for a formal border.
It can be trained up a trellis to form an attractive vertical feature.
A strong stem can be staked and trained to for a beautiful blue topiary ball.
Plumbago and Tecoma capensis (Cape Honeysuckle) often occur together in nature and provide a striking contrast as they flower at the same time.
GARDEN THEMES
Country, Forest, Rockery, WoodlandFLOWERS
The 5-petalled, phlox-like flowers are borne in clusters and are produced in large masses. They are powder-blue or white and are borne on new growth.
FRUIT
The fruit of the plumbago has sticky barbs to attach to animals who aid in seed dispersal. The seed capsule splits open to release the seeds.
BUTTERFLY/MOTH HOST PLANT
Leptotes brevidentata (Short-toothed Blue)Leptotes pirihous (Common Blue)
One Response
Sends out runners underground and can spread. Site it in a location where it will have space to grow.
Ian