Plumbago mix of strength and beauty
Plumbago auriculata or P. capensis as it is also known, is a beautiful tough vigorous shrub from South Africa with long arching stems which can be trained on walls or up trees. It looks particularly beautiful when cascading over a wall or high fence to show the spectacular flowering to best effect. It can grow quite large – up to three metres across and four metres high, but it can be kept in check as it responds well to pruning.
There are about fifteen species of Plumbago found widely spread in the tropics and sub-tropics. The name Plumbago comes from the Latin for lead which is plumbum . It is sometimes commonly called leadwort and according to the internet it has some positive pharmaceutical effects against lead poisoning. Also according to the internet in India it is used to treat wounds, broken bones and headaches.
The glossy leaves are simple and of a light to mid-green colouring and the specific name auriculata , meaning ear-shaped, refers to their outline. As it is semi-deciduous in most areas it may become a bit sparse and twiggy if the bushes are not pruned.
Its main attraction is the numerous bunches of beautiful phlox-like flowers, with narrow tubes tipped with five, flat, relatively large lobes. Borne on short racemes throughout the late summer and early autumn months, the species flowers come in shades of pale blue with the varieties ‘‘Alba’’and ‘‘Royal Cape’’ having white and darker blue flowers respectively.
Plumbago prefers acidic soils but is not too fussy as long as it is well-drained.
The plants appreciate a light dressing of general gardening fertiliser applied in Spring. Once established plumbago will stand quite dry conditions but young plants should be kept on the moist side. When the plants are growing rapidly watering is beneficial and from then on only if droughty conditions prevail.
The plants are reasonably hardy, but if damaged by hard frost the damaged wood should be cut back in late winter or early Spring when danger of frost is past. Soon new fresh growth will appear, flowering later in the season.
Plumbago needs to be planted in a sheltered warm sunny place to perform best but will tolerate light shade. Too much shade severely reduces the usually copious flowering.
I used to have two plants growing in large containers where they did well, with the restricted root run and some judicious pruning keeping them from getting too large. Also the advantage of container grown plants is that if you live in hard frost areas you can move the plants into a more sheltered are over the cold frosty win- ter months.
Plumbagos are well-known for having very few pests and diseases are rare, making them beautiful, easy-care additions to any garden.