Plumbago auriculata (Plumbago, Leadwort)

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Plant description

Plumbago auriculata is an easy care, sprawling large shrub. It is massed with clear sky blue tubular flowers in spring and summer, and spot flowers in autumn. It is a hardy and adaptable plant with few pests or diseases. It suits a wide range of soil types, including poor soils, and will grow in full sun or part shade. It is drought and frost resistant once established. It grows dense to the ground which deters weed growth around it. It is butterfly attracting.

Plumbago can be trimmed as a hedge plant, espalliered against a wall, or left to grow as a loose shrub. It has a vigorous growth habit, so if it is used for a formal hedge, it will need frequent pruning to keep it neat. It also sends out suckers, which can spread the plant more widely. Control by pruning hard to the ground in winter if needed, and removing the suckering growth.

The flower calyx exudes a sticky mucilage that can trap and kill small insects such as ants.

The sap can cause skin irritation and blistering. All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Further reading: Hedges and Pruning a hedge in 7 steps (articles written by horticulturalist Angus Stewart).

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: blue
Flowering season: spring summer autumn

Plant size

Maximum height: 3 metres
Minimum height: 2 metres

Maximum width: 3 metres
Minimum width: not specified

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

This plant will tolerate full sunlight.
Medium frost tolerance.
Plant is salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Yes. Attracts: Butterflies and moths.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: cool, subtropical, tropical, arid.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: dry, moist, well-drained.

Clay: dry, moist, well-drained.

Sand: dry, moist, well-drained.

Soil pH: 6.1-7.8

Miscellaneous information

Planting season: Any.

Types of fertiliser: Good general purpose fertiliser.

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