Practically Perfect Plant - Plumbago

From the first peek of bulbs in late winter until the last red maple leaf has dropped in the fall, gardeners often lament over the end of another growing season. Hold on to your tattered garden hat - we're still several weeks away from consistent down jacket days. Let's hope for several light sweater days interspersed with some rain gear - we can use the moisture, better make it gortex, we really need the rain. As we fade to autumn, take a look at what's pretty in bloom so you'll know what to add to your spring plant shopping list or buy it now if you can still find it in a garden center.

The top of my suggested planting list is plumbago, commonly called leadwort or try this mouthful-Ceratostigma plumbaginoides. 

Plumbago, or best described - fairly aggressive (in a good way) groundcover that has just about every perk to make it a practically perfect plant in your landscape. If placed correctly! You know...that whole "right plant, right place" mantra commonly used by gardeners in these parts. 

First let's start with the flowers. Clusters of striking, bright blue flowers that bloom for several weeks beginning anytime in the summer that last well into fall. Plumbago's one last parting gift after bloom is the lush, shiny green leaves that begin a gradual change of red - which is more of a unique maroony/burgundy color that says fall is here, stay a while. 

A boulevard planting of plumbago just starting to bloom in July

The other what/where specs -

Height in the books say 8-12 inches, but when we grew it years ago in a different landscape setting than what we have now, it grew taller - at least 18 inches. It was very happy in the east location. It will grow in all-day dappled shade -  west sun locations are not recommended. Spread is 12-24 inches. If you're wanting a full groundcover look sooner, plant them about 15 inches apart, they will fill in quickly.

Long-lived, zone 5 plumbago requires good soil drainage, no constant wet feet. It grows happily in organic rich soils to poor, gravely soil - not fussy at all. Plants spread by underground rhizomes so put them where they can freely grow. Plumbago are in the plant brute category and may dominate plants grown near them.

Once established plumbago is very water wise and can take drought conditions. Deer, rabbits and pest insects steer clear. Butterflies like them.

Just so you know, you'll get three workhorse seasons out of plumbago - it goes to nothing in the winter after leaf drop and is somewhat slow to emerge in the spring. But don't let that stop you from planting it under trees, shrubs or for erosion control. Use it in rock gardens, cottage gardens and any garden style. It adds class and pretty in blue blooms that complement the sunny, fluorescent indigo fall sky - like they coordinated their ensemble colors for fall back-to-school.

Cut plants back each spring to stimulate new growth and if planting in fall, a light mulch over the winter will give added protection. Older plants may die out over the years, but just remove dead areas, fill in the hole with fresh soil, the gap will be covered quickly.

Plumbago on an east facing slope

Photo from University of Maryland Arboretum by Sam Bahr