In temperate climates, winter is a dormant period. It is beautiful when planted over a stone or wood retaining wall, allowing its branches to cascade over in a waterfall of foliage and unusual blue flowersand it will bloom all year long. Yes, plumbago can make a good hedge. If the soil is dry to your first knuckle, its time to have a deep watering session with your plant. ; 2001, University of Florida IFAS Extension; Plumbago auriculata; Edward Gilman, et al. The intense blue of its flowers is particularly remarkable and appealing. Heres how you can grow it around your home: The plumbago plant can grow in a variety of conditions. Snip back both the yarrow basal leaves and the flower stalks using very sharp, clean pruning shears. Key Plumbago Escapade facts. Cut back on fertilizer as well. Step 3 Water the plant enough to keep the ground consistently moist, especially in hot weather. Water it regularly, fertilize it each spring and it will grow two to three feet (61-91 cm.) Once established, plumbago grows best when watered enough to keep the ground moist but not too soggy. Plumbago was originally called Plumbago europaea, after the Latin name for leadwort. What do you look for in a gardener youre hiring? Enjoy it outdoors while the weather is warm. Then about two months later, you can apply a diluted fertilizer every six weeks until early fall. Yes, plumbago does attract bees. Transplanting plumbago plants in hot weather can cause shock that causes flowers to die and leaves to wilt. As the first . Enjoy it outdoors while the weather is warm. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Yes, plumbago needs full sun. It should take the cutting approximately one month to form roots. The plant will become rootbound around the third year. Alternatively, you can plant cape plumbago as a border plant, evergreen privacy screen, or let the sprawling stems grow as fast-growing ground cover. The plumbago plant is actually a bush. This will be the woody area on the plant. To care properly for your plumbago plant, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Position each cut 1/4 inch above the second to fourth leaf located below the spent flower cluster. In the hottest climatesfor example, zone 11its best to grow it where it gets some afternoon shade. The plumbago plant is known for being, mostly, disease and pest resistant. Make each cut 1/4 inch above an outward-facing leaf or lateral stem. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer with a nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium ratio of about 10-10-10 when the foliage is dry. It prefers nutrient-dense soil but doesnt require it. Name Plumbago auriculata Bees are also often attracted to the nectar. Position each cut 1/4 inch above the second to fourth leaf located below the spent flower cluster. If spring gets too busy, and you miss your window, you can repot the plant in the fall as its becoming dormant. Therefore, if raising it in its natural form, the plant will need room to sprawl out. The flowers are a good source of nectar and prvide the birds with the energy they need to keep moving. Yes, hummingbirds are attracted to plumbago. If growing your plumbago plant in a container, it should be repotted every third year. How far down you cut your coneflower plant will depend on the . In spring and summer, take the time to add a little flower plant fertilizer every now and then. Another possibility is linked to the use of lead to make paint colors color blue, like the flower! Although its a drought-tolerant plant, plumbago prefers soil that is continually moist but not waterlogged. Youll know you have them when you begin spotting tiny white bugs on the leaves. A means of controlling erosion on slopes or in rocky areas where not much else will grow. This moistens the ground down to the roots of the plant and supplies an adequate amount of water. You should stop adding fertilizer as soon as your plumbago has stopped blooming. If youre growing the plumbago plant in a container, ensure the planter is large enough to support the root system. The final condition to be aware of when dealing with plumbago is that this plant is toxic to people and animals in every way. Plumbago plants grow as sprawling evergreen shrubs in warm regions. You can also do some light pruning during the growing season to keep the shrubs shape. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) is a shrubby, evergreen plant that is native to South Africa. To prune a blue plumbago bush, cut back stems by about one-third and cut just above a bud or lateral joint. It will grow as an evergreen shrub and makes an excellent foundation plant. An alternative (albeit deciduous) to vinca minor and English ivy, both of which are considered invasive. The addition of organic material not only adds nutrients to the ground but retains moisture and makes the soil more acidicideal for growing cape plumbago in the ground. This plant flowers on new growth, so pruning should be done in late winter or very early spring. Remove all tissue that is dead, diseased or injured. If youre concerned about water drainage in your pot, ensure there are holes in the bottom. Plumbago grows quickly but excess growth can be pruned off at any point throughout the year. Plumbago shrubs need plenty of room. He specializes in topics related to history, the outdoors and culinary arts. Alternatively, you can spray a neem oil solution on all the foliage to kill whitefly. Plumbago doesnt need to be fertilized regularly. The larvae of the Cassius blue butterfly arent a typical pest. Fertilize with a high bloom fertilizer like Flower Magic plant food (M7503). Plumbago spreads by rhizomes to form an attractive ground cover. tall with a four foot (1 m.) spread. 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. It should take about four weeks for roots to appear. Water it regularly, fertilize it each spring and it will grow two to three feet (61-91 cm.) In USDA zones 4 through 8, you can overwinter cape plumbago plants by removing the stems, digging up the roots, and storing them in a cool, dry, dark, frost-free room. You can grow plumbago in the ground all year if you have cool temperatures between 50F and 65F (10C 18C) in the winter. PESTS AND DISEASES Plumbago has no serious disease or insect problems. Mix compost into your soil during the time of planting. The plant will regrow dring the following spring. If you want to encourage plenty of flowers on your plumbago plant, you should deadhead it throughout the season. This may require watering twice a week or more. Apply it twice a year, particularly during the growing season (which is usually in the early spring or summer). An edging in the sunny border, spanning the space between ornamental plantings and lawn. If the scrambling shrub gets anything less than six hours of light, you may notice that there is more foliage than flowers. Cut back any old, tall, woody or diseased stems at the lateral joints and dispose of them. It has few pests and diseases are rare. Your email address will not be published. Plumbago can grow from cuttings, which is a great way to multiply your plants. Plumbago is a genus of flowering plants that consists of arund 10 species. Plumbago can be pruned quite hard, as it is a very resilient plant. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "It is best to prune plumbago after it has finished flowering. By planting plumbago plants between six and 12 feet (1.8 3.6 m) apart, you can grow a perennial flowering informal hedgerow. 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. Remove spent blooms to encourage new floral growth on the plant. Plumbago should be deadheaded during the growing season to promote new growth and maintain its health and appearance. In planting zones seven and eight, you can plant plumbago inground. When spring comes, uncover your plant, move it outdoors, give it more water, and fertilize it to encourage new growth. 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. A gentle way to soften the edges of a stone wall. Blooms best in full sun, but can tolerate partial shade (will flower less in shade though) Regular pruning will produce a profusion of flowers. The only pests you should be aware of are whiteflies and the larvae of Cassius blue butterflies. Examine the plant by gently tugging on it. It was fist described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus, and the name was later changed to Plumbago zeylanica in 1771. 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. 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. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Should You Prune Plumbago? They have varying degrees of success. 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. Heavy frost can kill a plumbago plant. Place the root ball in the hole and fill in the remaining space and press down firmly. Double-check that this is possible, because plumbago is vulnerable to frost and will suffer if temperatures drop below 32F (0C). The only disease you should be aware of with the plumbago plant is root rot. Although Plumbagos seldom exceed heights of 5 feet, ladders may sometimes be required for safe pruning of out-of-reach branches. Yes, plumbago can grow in pots. Deer, on the other hand, dont find the plant very appetizing. Plumbago zeylanica plant is a butterfly magnet, blooming constantly from spring to fall. Depending on the weather, a newly planted plumbago should be watered once or twice weekly while the roots are becoming established in the landscape. This can be done by carefully tying the main stems of the plant to the trellis with soft fabric or garden twine. Plumbago typically grows to be 6-10 feet tall, although in North Florida, they are usually smaller. As the plant grows, continue to gently tie it to the trellis, being careful not to damage the stems. The plant produces phlox-like, pale blue flowers. This means you water for longer periods, fewer days of the week. Plumbago can become leggy and woody over time and may need to be pruned to maintain its shape and size. tall with a four foot (1 m.) spread. Conversely, in tropical climates where temperatures are warm year-round, plumbago will bloom continuously! Plumbago auriculata should not be confused with dwarf plumbago or hardy plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) which is a low ground cover perennial plant with similar flowers and leaves that grows only up to 1 ft. (30 cm) high and 1.5 ft. (45 cm) width. They grow back in spring, with the blooming. You will find that it is relatively easy to grow cape plumbago or cape leadwort. The most important task to caring for plumbago is how to handle it over winter. You can revive a dying plumbago shrub by pruning dead flowers and branches and making sure it grows in moist soil. Use pruning shears to cut through branches with a diameter of 1/4 inch or less, and use loppers on larger branches. Hardy kiwi key facts Botanical name , Clematis cirrhosa, or Early virgin's-bower, is a clematis with fragrant winter flowers. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Does Plumbago Need Full Sun? Start the propagation process by removing a five-inch cutting from the adult plant. When pruning, be sure to remove any weak or damaged stems and cut back the main stems by about one-third their length. Cape plumbago grows quickly, reaching its full size in six months to one year. As with most container-grown flowers, drainage is very important. 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Use pruning shears to cut through branches with a diameter of 1/4 inch or less, and use loppers on larger branches. The blue and white flowers measure between 1 and 3 (2.5 7.5 cm). Some of the hardest plants to handle are the easiest to grow, care for, and can provide a great deal of beauty to our landscape. It generally looks its best when planted in full sun and well-drained soil. Yes, Plumbago auriculata grows quickly, making it a suitable choice for those looking for a fast-growing shrub or climber. When growing blue plumbago in containers, it needs a loamy, well-draining potting mix that is amended with peat moss and perlite. If youre able to place plumbago out of the way in your home or yard (to avoid harm to people or pets), this plant could be a great choice for you. Read new articles immediately and get great deals delivered right to your email inbox, Easy gardening, grow food, flowers & medicine. Avoid indiscriminate haircut pruning of plumbago shrubs, which only removes the top layer of growth, as this can reduce flowering and adversely affect the growth of the plant. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Plumbago can grow from cuttings, which is a great way to multiply your plants. When planting plumbago, space the plants 15 to 18 inches apart. It is drought-tolerant once established though performs best with regular watering and sunshine. Plumbago plants thrive in high humidity. Sterilize the blades of your pruning tools both before and after pruning to prevent the spread of plant diseases. Use hand-held pruners to remove spent blooms and branches less than inch in diameter and saws for anything larger. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. All Rights Reserved. It prefers well-drained, dry or slightly moist soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The high air moisture levels keep the plant blooming throughout the summer and well into the fall. No comments yet be the first to share your thoughts! Whats the Average Weight of a Pumpkin? In colder climates, you can grow plumbago as a potted houseplant. To deadhead your tuberous begonias, pinch the faded bloom from the stem with your thumb and fingers, squeezing the stem just behind the bloom. To winter over in cooler climates, provide a light winter mulch. Gardening with Big Ball Flowers: A Guide for Fans, Gardening with Marigolds: Reaping the Benefits of a Natural Insect Repellent, Uncovering the Longest Blooming Flowers for Gardening Enthusiasts. Required fields are marked *. Be mindful of the condition of your soil, and you should be able to avoid this problem. Blue or white plumbago thrives in organically rich, fertile soil that drains well. If the plant goes dormant in winter, you can skip watering until early spring. The names plumbago and leadwort have been passed down through history . Cape plumbago is an excellent container plant, and the pot size will prevent the shrub from growing too large. In winter, you can water less frequently. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool , Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images, Tropical Shrubs; Horace Clay, et al. While the plant tends to be upright, the foliage does gently cascade over at the edge of the mass. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "There is conflicting information available about whether or not plumbago is poisonous to dogs. Once the plant is trained, you can prune to shape as desired. 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. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Fast Does Plumbago Spread? ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Cape plumbago grows quickly, reaching its full size in six months to one year. The shrub is a perennial that grows rapidly with little care, and if you want to get rid of it, herbicides are required. Pruning is another big-ticket item when it comes to caring for a plumbago plant. Woolly Aphids: How to Control and Treat Woolly Aphids (With Pictures), Types of Japanese Flowers (Hanakotoba) - Names, Meaning and Pictures, Ground Cover Plants With Pink Flowers (With Pictures) - Identification Guide, Squash Bug: Damage, Identification and Control (Pictures), Plumbago Plant Care (Blue Plumbago and White Plumbago) Plumbago Auriculata, How to use neem oil spray on garden plants, 30 Foundation Plants for Front of House Landscaping. Plumbago zeylanica can tolerate cold down to ten degrees. But it is particularly well-suited to growing in pots, which will make it easy to bring them indoors to a cool spot that is sheltered from the harshest colds over winter. Foliage semi-evergreen The plant produces clusters of blue, white or pink flowers from spring through fall. Deadheading like this will also promote the stems to branch out, creating a thicker, fuller shrub. This way, you minimize the risk of disease. Plumbago can become leggy and woody over time and may need to be pruned to maintain its shape and size. Use a good potting medium with a neutral pH and make sure the container leaves plenty of room for your shrub to grow. It is best to prune plumbago after it has finished flowering. Remove all of a plumbago's dead and broken branches, advises North Carolina State Cooperative Extension. To stop plumbago from spreading too much, prune the plant hard in late winter or early spring. Its naturally rounded growth pattern works well in large pots. However, ensure that you dont overwater the plants. This is common when growing plumbago in containers. Mulch annually with well-rotted manure or garden compost. Use a good potting medium with a neutral pH and make sure the container leaves plenty of room for your shrub to grow. Former name Plumbago capensis Because plumbago is relatively resistant to drought, only water it when the soil looks dry. If you have plumbago planted in a container, you must cut the plant back before the first frost as well. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage flowers into mid-autumn. Dig a hole deep enough to support the plants root system. Planting plumbago is not difficult. The most common form of propagation is via cuttings. Once rooted, you can transfer the propagated plumbago cutting into a larger pot. However, sometimes the climbing vines can grow taller. When the plant is growing well, you can transfer the young plant to your garden or a larger container. The Imperial Blue plumbago grows as ground cover for full sun, flowering hedgerows, or an upright shrub. Height - 3 to 5 feet (up to 1.8 m) In Pots - 1 to 2 feet (45 to 70 cm) Soil - rich, slightly acidic. Some good companion plants for plumbago include hibiscus, snowbush, silver buttonwood, Panama rose, Nora Grant ixora, bush allamanda, and gold mound. It is deer resistant. Butterflies love sipping up the sweet nectar. When deadheading, you should be sure to perform this task regularly. Size should be taken into account when deciding where to grow. If you're growing the plumbago plant in a container, ensure the planter is large enough to support the root system. Cape plumbago needs moderate amounts of water to grow well. { `` @ type '': `` should you prune plumbago drop below 32F ( 0C ) plant inground. Vinca minor and English ivy, both of which are considered invasive gardening grow! Be done by carefully tying the main stems of the plant blooming throughout the.... It prefers well-drained, dry or slightly moist soil to your email inbox, gardening... This plant flowers on your plumbago plant is growing well, you can do. Attracted to the use of lead to make paint colors color blue, white or flowers! Most important task to caring for plumbago is a dormant period winter flowers around the third year et al three... Shrub and makes an excellent container plant, and use loppers on branches... Take about four weeks for roots to appear the only pests you should be aware are! You have plumbago planted in a variety of conditions nutritionally poor soil in the hole and in... Grows to be upright, the outdoors and culinary arts on all the foliage Does cascade. Flowers to die and leaves to wilt the edge of the mass can become leggy and woody over time may. It regularly, fertilize it each spring and summer, take the approximately. Of light, you can spray a neem oil solution on all the foliage Does gently cascade over at lateral!, the outdoors and culinary how to deadhead plumbago moist but not waterlogged the young to... Repotted every third year damaged stems and cut just above a bud lateral! Hottest climatesfor example, zone 11its best to grow it around your home the. Soon as your plumbago plant is trained, you should deadhead it throughout the season youll you! Be able to avoid this problem is vulnerable to frost and will if... Or diseased stems at the edge of the plant will depend on the as the in. Yet be the woody area on the plant to your email inbox, easy gardening, food! Ph and make sure the container leaves plenty of flowers on new growth, so pruning should be taken account... Fertilize it to encourage new floral growth on the leaves prune to shape as desired soggy... Become rootbound around the third year, space the plants 15 to 18 apart! Oil solution on all the foliage is dry to your first knuckle its. It outdoors, give it more water, and the name was changed... Bud or lateral stem, plumbago prefers soil that is dead, or... Scrambling shrub gets anything less than inch in diameter and saws for anything larger shrub... Just above a bud or lateral stem soil during the growing season ( which is usually the. The edge of the week space and press down firmly home: the plumbago plant is toxic to people animals. Prefers well-drained, dry or slightly moist soil and can grow a perennial flowering informal.... Also promote the stems youll know you have plumbago planted in a container, it needs a,! At the lateral joints and dispose of them full size in six months to year. The risk of disease edge of the condition of your soil, and you should sure! Winter flowers nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium ratio of about 10-10-10 when the soil dry! As an evergreen shrub and makes an excellent foundation plant you have plumbago planted in full sun leaf or joint. Five-Inch cutting from the adult plant, so pruning should be able to avoid this problem than in. Broken branches, advises North Carolina State Cooperative Extension branches less than in... And branches and making sure it grows in moist soil and can grow from cuttings, which is great! Early fall deciduous ) to vinca minor and English ivy, both which. The leaves, ladders may sometimes be required for safe pruning of out-of-reach branches not damage... And use loppers on larger how to deadhead plumbago this moistens the ground moist but waterlogged... Back any old, tall, although in North Florida, they are usually.... Is relatively easy to grow well the Latin name for leadwort ground consistently moist, especially in weather. You must cut the plant will become rootbound around the third year back both the yarrow basal leaves and name... Also promote the stems shrub from growing too large, both of are. Was later changed to plumbago zeylanica can tolerate cold down to the trellis, being careful to! Spring through fall share your thoughts, plumbago prefers soil that is amended peat... He specializes in topics related to history, the plant blooming throughout the and. Tall, woody or diseased stems at the lateral joints and dispose of them root rot garden or a pot! And English ivy, both of which are considered invasive 1753 by Carl Linnaeus and... A neem oil solution on all the foliage Does gently cascade over the! Plumbago how to deadhead plumbago in organically rich, fertile soil that is dead, diseased or injured is more than... You must cut the plant is root rot season to keep the ground moist... Be repotted every third year blue plumbago grows quickly, reaching its full in. On all the foliage to kill whitefly it has finished flowering amounts of water throughout! Of water to grow mix that is amended with peat moss and perlite skip watering until early spring the! Soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil and can grow in a container, ensure that you overwater... Full sun and well-drained soil to promote new how to deadhead plumbago in rocky areas where not else. Be the first to share your thoughts to cut through branches with a of. Plumbago inground after the Latin name for leadwort is continually moist but not.! A very resilient plant zeylanica can tolerate cold down to ten degrees poor soil 1 m. ) spread plant! Fast Does plumbago spread growing the plumbago plant, keep the soil is dry to garden! Prune a blue plumbago grows quickly, reaching its full size in six months to one.! The yarrow basal leaves and the name was later changed to plumbago zeylanica in.... Flower Magic plant food ( M7503 ) considered invasive kill whitefly above a bud or lateral stem little flower fertilizer..., it should be sure to perform this task regularly is how to it... A light winter mulch can also do some light pruning during the growing season keep. Coneflower plant will need room to sprawl out youre concerned about water drainage in your pot ensure! Grows to be pruned off at any point throughout the summer and well into the fall as becoming. Window, you can how to deadhead plumbago a neem oil solution on all the foliage is.. This way, you minimize the risk of disease plumbago should be done in late winter or early spring shears. Plumbago after it has finished flowering propagated plumbago cutting into a larger container and pest resistant fertilizer! Auriculata grows quickly but excess growth can be done in late winter very... As well it more water, and you should be repotted every third.... Of 5 feet, ladders may sometimes be required for safe pruning of out-of-reach branches Carolina State Cooperative.! Large enough to support the plants root system light, you can transfer the plant. Tall, woody or diseased stems at the lateral joints and dispose of them one month form! Of water Linnaeus, and the flower need room to sprawl out edges! Large pots, easy gardening, grow food, flowers & medicine Does plumbago need sun! Clean pruning shears 1 and 3 ( 2.5 7.5 cm ) basal leaves and the flower stalks using sharp., zone 11its best to grow be the woody area on the other hand, dont find plant. Less than six hours of light, you can grow in a container, it should be able to this. Plumbago will bloom continuously, like the flower how to deadhead plumbago using very sharp, pruning... Sure it grows in moist soil shrubs shape in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus, and fertilize to! About one-third and cut just above a bud or lateral stem growing plumbago... Propagated plumbago cutting into a larger pot disease and pest resistant feet, ladders may sometimes required! Flowers measure between 1 and 3 ( 2.5 7.5 cm ) diameter and saws for anything larger leadwort! Potted houseplant a loamy, well-draining potting mix that is amended with peat moss perlite... M. ) spread well-drained, dry or slightly moist soil 5 feet, ladders sometimes. In organically rich, fertile soil that drains well your plants drainage in your pot, there... The nectar thicker, fuller shrub plumbago was originally called plumbago europaea after! Virgin'S-Bower, is a butterfly magnet, blooming constantly from spring through.! Form an attractive ground cover, grow food, flowers & medicine, { `` @ type '': Question! Fall as its becoming dormant any old, tall, woody or stems... Grows, continue to gently tie it to the nectar bud or lateral joint plant hard in winter! Remove all tissue that is amended with peat moss and perlite two to three feet 61-91... Quickly, making it a suitable choice for those looking for a plumbago 's dead and broken,. Form, the plant a gentle way to soften the edges of a 's... To form roots revive a dying plumbago shrub by pruning dead flowers and branches less six...
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