List 13 – Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (leadwort)
Family: Plumbaginaceae
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Size:
- 12-18 inches wide
- 9-12 inches tall
Form:
- Mat-forming; spreading
Soil & Water requirements:
- Medium water requirements
- Well-drained soil
- Tolerant of most soil types except for wet and poor drainage
Exposure:
- Full sun to part shade
- Likes the heat of a south-facing bank
Leaves:
- Very clean in appearance
- Oval to obovate; medium green; fall colour: red to purple leaves
- Late to leaf out; typically at the end of May
- Red stem tips and buds provide interesting contrast in colour
- Herbaceous perennial
Flowers:
- Deep blue
- Produced in terminal clusters; five petals
- Bloom period: July to September
Suitable uses:
- Ground cover
- Hillside
- Front of a border
- Rock garden
- Underneath trees and shrubs; with enough sun
- Open, woodland garden
- Cottage and informal plantings
Other:
- Rhizomatous
- Great colour contrast; green foliage with red details and bright blue flowers