I posted about this gorgeous plant here in 2011, and here in 2012. Sorry for being repetitive, but I love it so much I’m going to rave about it again!
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Or leadwort or plumbago (Chinesische Bleiwurz)
It looks fairly fragile, but looks can be deceptive. It is very frost-hardy, and despite the drought for over 7 weeks in the summer, in mid-August it started producing fresh leaves and buds. By late August the first flowers opened. All through September it flowered its heart out. Now the best part comes, in October… still producing these beautiful blue flowers the foliage also starts to turn reddish brown.
It is wonderful ground cover, looking pretty next to late Nigella and Acquilegia leaves. But it does need a well-drained sunny spot to do well.
Words and Herbs 
I don’t think I’ve seen plumbago up here in Alberta? Do you think it would grow here? If so, I’d love to plant some. I think a plant that can flower and have brilliant fall colored foliage is worth adding in a few place in my garden:) xx
Hi Barbara. Apparently hardy down to -23°C (zones 5-6), so may be a bit risky? Not sure how cold it gets in Alberta! If it’s sheltered and mulched well perhaps. 😀
Very pretty groundcover Cathy.
I’m trying to take cuttings, but haven’t had much success yet… Have a nice Sunday Susie!
Reblogged this on My Blog snuppy.
I have plumbago in my garden and I love it. It grows with heart leaf asters in dry shade. I love the combo of blue flowers and little white asters.
That’s a good idea – I’d like some small asters and that must be a pretty combination. Thanks!
I did have Cathy, it died, and I don’t know why, dare I risk planting another?
I often give plants a second chance, but then I call it a day! So perhaps in a different spot? In any case I’d wait until spring to plant one, to give it a chance to get established. It likes poor, well-drained soil – preferably chalky – in a warm sunny spot. Apparently it does occasionally freeze in the winter, even though it comes from the Himalayas! Mine gets plenty of leaves covering it from the nearby trees and I also put a few evergreen branches over it in winter. It survived a very dry and cold winter two years ago, so maybe it doesn’t like damp cold. Good luck!
What a nice little groundcover! It’s been growing here for almost three years and I love the color and the habit. Just this summer a few suckers started coming up and spreading, but nothing too aggressive. It’s still on the good list 😉
I have heard it can become invasive, but mine hasn’t spread at all, just one clump has become a little larger! I’m trying to establish some root cuttings, but they haven’t taken so far. Thanks for your comment!
No, I don´t know it from gardens here. We only have, what we call “maiden in the Green” (Nigella damascena). The colour reminded me on Flax. In former times our area was great in producing linnen.
It’s rare to see a flax field these days, but such a pretty sight when in flower! Have a nice Sunday Uta!
Never have now you have given me idea to investigate it in these parts 🙂 Beautiful shots!
Thanks Eunice – It’s pretty hardy, so should be OK in your area.
Hardy we need lol
I’ve seen it for sale in a few places, but don’t have it in the garden…Might have to change that, as anything that’s still blooming this late is welcome!
Yes, and the leaves are so pretty late in the year too!
Looks beautiful but I get a bit nervous about ground cover, then I read the comments and it was a quick copy and paste onto my plant wish list 🙂
😀 I bet it will like your soil and climate. I have a wish list for next spring already too! 😉
Yours is very pretty. I just planted some of this in my garden. I hope mine does as well as yours. A plant you can rave about year after year sounds like a winner!
I hope it does well for you too. It is so pretty and requires no care at all. Defintely a winner in my garden!
Yes, I grow it and I agree it is a great groundcover. Love the blue flowers and the fall color, also the fact that emerges late, giving the bubs time to dominate.
Yes, it covers up some bare patches after the poppies and tulip leaves are cut back. 😀
I also planted one and you’re absolutely right: It’s a splendid, unfussy little plant and the autumn colour is another bonus.
I’m all for plants that need little care yet still perform – “unfussy” is the right word Annette! 😀
I’ve read about this on several blogs, I think I should give it a try. Thanks Cathy for reminding me.
I hope it does well for you Christina!
I was given a plumbago a few weeks ago – the flowers are just beautiful and looking great against the leaves as they get their autumn colours. I think it’s a different species to yours though, not quite so hardy.
I seem to remember there is one that grows quite tall, like a woody shrub. I must look that up! I suppose any new sorts might be less hardy though. Hope yours makes it safely through the winter Sarah!
How fun to finally find a plant that grows well here, too! I do know plumbago, although I don’t personally have any on our property. There is a pink and a blue, as far as I know. It is very hearty which tolerates our drought conditions and they grow to be wonderful hedges! I will do a little more research to see if one would do well in our yard. Your photos make a very compelling argument! 🙂
A pink one would be wonderful too – I must see if I can find out about other types here too. Thanks Debra – have a good week!
I don’t grow this but it looks lovely
It’s worth keeping an eye open for Donna – it fills in gaps so nicely after the spring and early summer flowers die back, and then flowers when so much is already over!
I’m another that hasn’t grown this, but it is going on the wishlist, I think it could provide some excellent ground cover around the base of one of my twisted willows. What a lovely little plant.
I can imagine that would like nice Janet. Hope it does well for you!
I am a big plumbago fan too! Here we grow Ceratostigma willmottianum. I popped a couple of them in a client’s very sheltered courtyard garden in the UK and they grew huge! Here in our Norfolk farmhouse garden, they stay compact. Lovely, lovely plants.
I’m going to have to look that one up. I can’t get enough of its lovely colours at the moment, so perhaps I need another one… 😉 Thanks for your comment!
It is understated but I like it. 🙂
😀 Another shade of blue to enjoy!
Oh what attractive flowers Cathy. I’ve had grown both the blue and white versions of plumbago auriculata in the past. Sadly they are on the tender side and have never lived that long.
Hi Anna. I have seen pictures of that one – very pretty, but only for summer planting in our climes! This one is a tough old boot though!