Plant Min Zone: 5b
Plant Max Zone: 9a
Sunlight: All Day Full Sun, Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade
Water / Rainfall: Low, Average
Soil Quality: Poor, Average, Rich
Bloom Season: Summer, Late Summer, Fall
Flower Color: Blue
Berry / Fruit Color: None
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green, Red
Evergreen Foliage: No
Winter Interest: Some
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: Medium, High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Medium
Wind Tolerance: High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Clay Soils, Rocky Soils, Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 0.5' - 0.75'
Width: 1' - 2'
Growth Rate: Slow, Medium
Service Life: Long: 5-10 years
Maintenance Need: Almost Zero Maintenance
Spreading Potential: Medium
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Perennial to Ground in Early Winter After Hard Freezes: Some Winter Interest.
Plant Grouping Size: Medium Grouping of 5-10, Mass Planting of 10 or more
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Under Roof Overhang, Survives Severe Drought, Tolerates Extreme Heat, Top of Retaining Wall Locations
Ornamental Features: Long Blooming Season, Long Lasting Fall Color, Multiple Seasons of Interest
Special Landscape Uses: Groundcover, Erosion Control, Lawn Substitute
Possible Pest Problems: Root Rot Disease
Plant Limitations: May get Occasional Winter-kill, Late to Emerge or Leaf Out in Spring
Creeping Plumbago / Leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) is a Chinese native plant well adapted to our climate without being invasive in Kansas. It features nonstop royal blue flowers from midsummer till hard freeze; Usually three months or more. After a first light freeze, if flowering is still occurring, rich green foliage will turn bright red while still containing a few blue flowers. This creates a one-of-a-kind contrast not seen in any other plants. Plumbago combines well with just about any other plant due to its rare flower color. This is especially dramatic is combining it with opposites on the color wheel like orange, red or yellow. Growth is often slow to emerge in the spring as plumbago needs warmer soil than most other plants to start growing. This allows for a good combination for spring bulbs to grow with plumbago coming up later to hide the dying bulb foliage. In Kansas landscapes, plumbago is often used as a full sun groundcover in hot areas such as west or south side of the house. Normal garden conditions and berms are fine as well. Plants can survive and flower in shade but growth will be much slower and risk of death will be present until established. In zone 6a, all plantings should be mulched and only larger size established pots should be planted if in the fall. Plumbago sold in flats of many smaller plants can safely be planted in spring or summer. Plumbago needs medium to dry soil tolerating clay as long as everything as well-drained. Once plants are established for a season or two in full sun, they are nearly indestructible. Slow spread will occur and plants will develop very high density smothering out weeds. Sometimes the slowly spreading growth (underground rhizones) can be a problem after a decade or so. However, if you plan ahead and use it as a groundcover like intended, it will be perfect. Being a very low maintenance plant not requiring extra watering or deadheading, the only thing you need to do is weed-eat or cut back all the foliage in the winter. Plumbago has no pest or disease problems.