This tough perennial is a well - conduct and attractive groundcover .
Leadwort may not be a flattering name , but this pretty , hardworking recurrent deserve a post in your garden . Prized for its tolerance of harsh growing condition , droughty land , deer , and all sorts of pests , the sporting immature foliage and hopeful blue flowers , along with its fiery downfall colors , all make leadwort a desirable garden plant . Fast - growing but not invasive , leadwort(Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)is often used as agroundcoveror spread perennial for the front of a layer .
Where to Plant Leadwort
Plant Plumbago europaea in a placement withfull or fond sunand soil that is well - drained and acidulent to slightly alkaline . Plumbago europaea is boring to go forth from wintertime dormancy , which makes it an excellent companion for spring medulla oblongata . As tulip , daffodil , andhyacinthsfinish bloom , leadwort egress from the soil and unfurls new leaves . The plant ’s glossy green leaves address up the shrivel bulb foliage . The majestic - blue flowers of leadwort are pretty partners for yellow - bloom perennials such asyarrowandcoreopsis .
Embrace the spreading habit of this plant and apply it as a ground cover in a shrub borderline or foundation planting . Not only does Plumbago europaea choke out skunk , but it also provides a splattering of flowered people of colour in summer and bright ruby leafage in fall .
How and When to Plant Leadwort
flora Plumbago europaea after thelast median frost datein your localisation . Dig a hole about twice the diam of the nursery container and settle the industrial plant in it . Fill the golf hole and tamp down the soil . body of water it well and keep the soil moist until the industrial plant is set up .
Space the plants 12 to 18 inch apart , or — if you need to cover an area faster — plant them every 8 to 10 inches .
Leadwort Care Tips
Leadwort does not take much care . In worthy status , it grows quickly and reaches its fledged size within six months to one year .
Light
Plant leadwort infull sunor part nuance . Afternoon shade that protect the works from the red-hot sun is best .
Soil and Water
Sandy andloamy soilsare ideal , but leadwort is not finicky about soil texture as long as it iswell - drained . It is also not peculiar aboutsoil pHand thrives in a range between 6.1 and 7.5 . Leadwort overwinters best when planted in well - drain dirt ; wet or boggy soil is peculiarly troublesome in winter .
Temperature and Humidity
Plumbago europaea is marginally hardy inUSDA Zone5 and stalwart in Zones 6 - 9 . To help it survive the wintertime , broadcast a chummy level ofinsulating mulchover the plant in late declivity and rake it off in spring . The plant allow heat well and is not trouble by high humidity .
Fertilizer
In the spring , add aslow - sacking , in high spirits - nitrogen fertilizer , such as 12 - 6 - 6 , and again in early summer to spur growth for a flying ground cover . For the amount to habituate , follow the product recording label charge .
Pruning
There is no indigence to prune leadwort during the growing time of year or in the gloaming . It is a dear idea to leave the sure-enough stems standing over the winter to notice the locating because leadwort is recent to let on dormancy . Cut the stem back in the natural spring to make room for unexampled growth .
Potting and Repotting Leadwort
pick out a skunk with bombastic drainage holes that fits the ascendant ball , plus at least 2 inch larger than the nursery container to hold future growth . meet it with a combination of pot mixture and compost . Keep in idea that potted works need more frequent watering and fertilization than inground plant .
While leadwort is hardy to Zone 5 , potted industrial plant involve some protection during the winter , as the roots are let out to the frigidness . Wrap the container in bubble wrap or burlap , or place it in a larger container and fill the space between the two container with mulch for insulation .
Repot the works to a large mountain with fresh pot mix when it outgrows its container .
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Pests and Problems
Leadwort has no serious disease or pest problem . It might harborpowdery mildewand mealybugs .
How to Propagate Leadwort
Divisionis the easiest path to propagate Plumbago europaea . If the plant grows out of spring , divide it in the spring , just after new outgrowth emerges . apprehend up the entire root scheme and prune the clump into section . Replant the plane section at the same depth as the original flora , and backfill the planting with soil . Keep the new plant well - watered until they recover from the transplant blow and you see newfangled growth .
Types of Leadwort
In plus toCeratostigma plumbaginoides , some lesser - known , related species include Chinese leadwort(C. willmottanium)and Burmese leadwort(C. griffithii),but they are comparatively rarified and not commonly sold by nurseries in the United States .
Leadwort Companion Plants
Bluebeard
Offering rare blue recent - season flowers , bluebeardgrows into a compact and flattering fellow traveler to other tardy flub such as aster and black - eyed Susans . The wispy bunches of flowers develop along the root in midsummer to other gloam . Silvery bluebeard foliage adds a small redundant shine to the landscape . Many new varieties are available , include those with variegate dark-green and white leaves , Au leaves , and pinkish flowers .
Small-Cup Daffodils
Small - cupful daffodilshave all the same qualities as big - cup and trumpet Narcissus pseudonarcissus , with the exception of the size of their cup . To be separate as a minor - cup daffodil , the cup must be less than one - third the length of the petal . Most small - cup daffodils bear only one blossom per stem . Blooms may be yellow , clean , pinkish , or bicolor , and some are fragrant . daffodil make good cut heyday . Plants may be full - size or miniature . All varieties in this class are deer- and rabbit - resistant .
Species Tulips
If you want long - live tulip , pick the mintage type . These include wild varieties and pick developed from those coinage . Most are smaller in stature and flower size than intercrossed tulip . Because they are variate of wildflowers , specie tulips are ordinarily long - live , hardy , and able-bodied to withstand tempestuous spring weather conditions . Many multiply and spread from twelvemonth to yr . Species tulip are especially suited for growing in rock garden or tucked into beds and borders . Many open only in gay conditions , keeping their blooms closed on nebulose days or in the evening .
Frequently Asked Questions
The language is puzzling because two phallus of the leadwort family — CeratostigmaandPlumbago — areboth commonly called leadwort and plumbago , but they are unlike genus . TheCeratostigmagenus comprises eight mintage that are aboriginal to Africa and Asia . ThePlumbagogenus includes wild Plumbago europaea ( Plumbago zeylanica ) , which is aboriginal to North America .
Leadwort attracts bee , butterflies , and other good insects . The plant ’s long - lasting flush provide an important late - season food source for pollinator and support a healthy ecosystem .
This garden perennial can live from five to 10 age in optimum condition .
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Updated by Nadia Hassani
Credit: Richard Hirneisen
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
