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Ceratostigma plumbaginoides--Leadwort Not all plants are showy in the fall. Most perennials have a showy season of bloom but Plumbago or Leadwort provides two color shows. The first is the beautiful, true blue flowers that are produced in late summer to fall. The second is the shiny green foliage that turns red to bronze-red in the fall.
Leadwort is a creeping perennial that makes an excellent groundcover or rock garden plant in sun or partial shade. Provide protective mulch in winter in higher valleys or in northern areas.
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9 Height: 12 in Spread: 18 in Plant Type: herbaceous perennial Flowers: Blue
Comments: Plumbago takes a year or two to establish itself, but it is well worth it. Even when the leaves have not changed to their fiery red or the soothing blue flowers have not blossomed, it still makes an attractive green groundcover.
Propagation: Divide in the plant in the spring.
KSL Greenhouse Tip Larry A. Sagers Regional Horticulturist Utah State University Thanksgiving Point Office
