Key Evergreen clematis facts Name Clematis cirrhosa, Grapevine is a beautiful fruit vine, offering us grapes at the end of summer. Sign up for our newsletter. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Plumbago should be deadheaded during the growing season to promote new growth and maintain its health and appearance. Plumbago should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. There are different ways to propagate plumbago. You want the soil to remain moist without becoming soggy. Mix compost into your soil during the time of planting. Use the knuckle test when unsure if your plant needs more water. Butterflies love sipping up the sweet nectar. Enjoy it outdoors while the weather is warm. In USDA zones 4 through 8, you can overwinter cape plumbago plants by removing the stems, digging up the roots, and storing them in a cool, dry, dark, frost-free room. It can cause your skin to develop rashes and even blister. Place the root ball in the hole and fill in the remaining space and press down firmly. You can grow plumbago auriculata outdoors in warm regions as a border plant, informal hedgerow or as foundation plant. Like the blue plumbago, white cape plumbago thrives in zones 9 through 11. Plumbago, apart from watering after planting, will need a lot of water when the weather is hot, especially if grown in a pot. As already mentioned, you can even raise it as a houseplant. Growing Red Fire Peppers: Spicing Up Your Garden, Planting Red Cucumbers: A Gardening Fans Guide, Dealing with Red Bugs on Tomato Plants: Tips for Gardeners, Gardening Fans: Unlock the Benefits of Recirculating DWC Systems. Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun Propagation Propagate by rooting softwood cuttings in spring or propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer Suggested planting locations and garden types Cottage and informal garden Mediterranean climate plants City and courtyard gardens Flower borders and beds Wall side borders Though it is drought tolerant, if you can provide the necessary water, you should. Both species require regular watering until established but are moderately drought tolerant afterwards. Fertilize with a high bloom fertilizer like Flower Magic plant food (M7503). Some people will even cover the plant with a dark trash bag to keep the light out. No comments yet be the first to share your thoughts! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our gardening obsessed editors and writers choose every product we review. In spring and summer, take the time to add a little flower plant fertilizer every now and then. The blue and white flowers measure between 1 and 3 (2.5 7.5 cm). Like most flowering shrubs, Plumbago grows most vigorously and blooms most profusely with regular pruning. Once the roots have formed, plant the cutting in its own container and allow it to grow. Depending on the specialized and individual climate of your garden, you might consider how to grow a plumbago plant in the ground. Plumbago auriculata should not be confused with dwarf plumbago or hardy plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) which is a low ground cover perennial plant with similar flowers and leaves that grows only up to 1 ft. (30 cm) high and 1.5 ft. (45 cm) width. It can grow to be 10 feet in height and width. Make each cut 1/4 inch above an outward-facing leaf or lateral stem. Yes, blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) is a climber. Use a good potting medium with a neutral pH and make sure the container leaves plenty of room for your shrub to grow. Although it generally resists diseases well, plumbago regularly experiences aphid onslaughts. Its a good idea to give the plant a container where theres room to grow in the coming years. How to Trim Lucky Bamboo Stalks and Roots, North Carolina State Cooperative Extension, Missouri Botanical Garden: Plumbago auriculata, North Carolina State Cooperative Extension: General Pruning Techniques, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Disinfecting Your Garden Tools, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space, How to Prune Crab Apples for the Best Shape. You can also do some light pruning during the growing season to keep the shrubs shape. It would be best if you also trimmed back dead branches to the base. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "To keep plumbago blooming, you can add flower plant fertilizer or shrub fertilizer every two weeks in spring and summer. Two additional bonuses are its deer resistance and, once established, these easy-growing shrubs also tolerate drought. Top plumbago care tip: When watering the plant, avoid splashing water on the leaves. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Plumbago can tolerate drought well, but too much water can caue this shrub to wilt and look near death, especially if drainage is poor. Imperial Blue Plumbago: The cultivar Plumbago auriculata Imperial Blue has deep sky-blue flower clusters that bloom throughout summer until fall. You can grow plumbago as either a landscaping specimen or as a houseplant. Cape plumbago grows quickly, reaching its full size in six months to one year. The only issues you may have with this shrub is if you overwater it or theres poor ground drainage. What do you look for in a gardener youre hiring? Make each cut 1/4 inch above an outward-facing leaf or lateral stem. Home Ornamental Flowers 40 Plumbago Gardening Tips And Facts. Close the sprayer up and shake it well to combine all of the ingredients. The most common plumbago cultivar is the blue plumbago with pale blue, five-petaled flowers. As with most container-grown flowers, drainage is very important. Once you have established plumbago plants, you can propagate to grow even more. Plumbago can tolerate drought well, but too much water can caue this shrub to wilt and look near death, especially if drainage is poor. Lastly, if you wish to train it into a climbing vine, you can attach it to a lattice because it wont cling to the wall on its own. The plants in this genus typically have trailing or climbing stems and produce blue, white, or pink flowers. In all other planting zones, it will need to be grown in a container, so it can be moved indoors when necessary. How to Grow Plumbago in Pots The most important task to caring for plumbago is how to handle it over winter. If you place it next to a footpath, be ready to spend your time picking seeds from your clothes! Cuttings are pieces of the plant that are cut off and then planted, and they will grow into new plants. It is especially happy when simply growing in pots and containers. Make the deadhead cut. 3. Plumbago shrubs produce brightly colored white or sky-blue flowers and are tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions. It is drought-tolerant once established though performs best with regular watering and sunshine. Gardening Fans: Protect Your Lawn From Cars! It is native to South Africa and knowing this provides the first clue to how to grow plumbago, along with where to grow one. Ideally, its best to keep the soil reasonably loamy so that water drains well from the growing location. When planting plumbago, space the plants 15 to 18 inches apart. If youre allowing your plumbago to run as ground cover, you can avoid pruning all together. Remove all tissue that is dead, diseased or injured. Score: 4.2/5 (16 votes) . This plant will grow in loamy or clay dirt as well. Type shrub, Soil: ordinary Exposure: full sun Flowering: end spring mid-fall. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Cape plumbago grows quickly, reaching its full size in six months to one year. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Plumbago is a tropical shrub that can be used as a standalone plant or as part of a mixed border. Plumbago grows best in organically rich soil that has excellent drainage. Caroline is a Miami-based landscaper who specializes in drought-tolerant landscapes. If youre planting it in the ground, find a location which meets the necessary growing conditions. It sounds like your Plumbago plant is suffering chlorosis which is a yellowing of leaf tissue due to a lack of chlorophyll. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "There is conflicting information available about whether or not plumbago is poisonous to dogs. Cape plumbago needs moderate amounts of water to grow well. The plumbago plant needs considerably basic care to thrive and produce beauty for you in a multitude of settings. Plumbago will grow to be 6 to 8 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. Use thinning cuts that remove approximately one third of a given branch, and avoid removal of more than 10 percent of plant tissue at a time. Place your finger into the soil next to your plant. Place all of the trimmed portions into the trash or place them in a compost pile to decompose. However, it can still be planted in ground (with specific care) in planting zones seven and eight. Alternatively, you can spray a neem oil solution on all the foliage to kill whitefly. Top care tip for growing plumbago in pots: Depending on the weather, you may have to water a potted plumbago plant more often than shrubs growing in the ground. The fewer decaying flowers attached to the main plant, the lesser the chances of the plant being infected with fungal diseases. As the first . Sterilize the blades of your pruning tools both before and after pruning to prevent the spread of plant diseases. Slightly acidic, slightly alkaline, clay, sand, or loam where to grow plumbago in your zone is really a matter of where to dig the hole! A Gardening Guide for Pumpkin Lovers. This may require watering twice a week or more. Images: 123RF: Phimchanok Srisuriyamart, adobestock: Danny Wilde, Pexels: Etha, Pixabay: smet ahin, Sittichok Glomvinya, Albrecht Fietz, Trung Nguyn, Ulrike Leone, Hardy kiwi, the kiwi that can survive Siberian colds, Clematis cirrhosa, a fragrant winter vine, Grapevine, producing nice bunches of grapes. It should take the cutting approximately one month to form roots. It has a spread of 1.5m. The sprawling shrub has vining stems that can grow between 6 and 15 ft. (1.8 4.5 m) tall, and the shrub grows up to 8 ft. (2.4 m) wide. It blooms best in full sun but will tolerate some shade if you are willing to sacrifice some of the bloom. The only pests you should be aware of are whiteflies and the larvae of Cassius blue butterflies. Do this during the early spring, as the plant is waking up. Water it regularly, fertilize it each spring and it will grow two to three feet (61-91 cm.) Regular pruning can encourage prolific blooming throughout the summer to fill your garden with colorful flowers. It has few pests and diseases are rare. Cut back long branches to a bud or lateral joint, and ensure that each branch is cut to a different length. Waterfall Garden Features - Tips For Creating Pond Waterfalls, Garden Stone Walls - How To Build A Stone Wall For Your Garden, Managing Dried Out Phlox Plants: Why Is My Phlox Yellow And Dry, Common Flowering Quince Diseases And Pests, These Weeds That Spread By Seed Can Sprout After Years, 3 Common Gardening Mistakes That Harm The Environment, White Rust Disease Controlling White Rust Fungus In The Garden, Planting Shasta Daisies The Growing And Care Of Shasta Daisy, Growing Oriental Poppies: Tips On How To Grow Oriental Poppy, Growing Morning Glories: How To Grow Morning Glory Flowers, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. In the end, cuttings are best because they guarantee 100% similarity to the mother plant. If you live in a USDA plant hardiness zone of 9-11, caring for plumbago will be much easier, and your selection of where to grow plumbago is endless. The intense blue of its flowers is particularly remarkable and appealing. You should stop adding fertilizer as soon as your plumbago has stopped blooming. Delicious Rhubarb Jam: A Gardeners Guide. Top care tip for fertilizing plumbago plants: Stop fertilizing plumbago plants as soon as blooming finishes. This will encourage new growth and more flowers. Place the cutting into a pot filled with soil. That process is called deadheading. It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. To amend the earth, you can work in peat moss and compost to boost organic matter. If you live in temperate regions, you can grow plumbago in containers and winterize them indoors from late fall until early spring. Pruning in the early spring is also beneficial. There are different ways to propagate plumbago. The oval leaves remain dark green throughout the winter. When not in this season, simply avoid high temperatures to plant your plumbago. If you're growing the plumbago plant in a container, ensure the planter is large enough to support the root system. The large, sprawling shrub has a rounded growth habit that can grow between 6 and 10 ft. (1.8 3 m) tall and the same width. All Rights Reserved. Annual pruning is eventually possible at the end of winter or at the beginning of spring, proceed lightly in order to stimulate the blooming and preserve the shape. The butterflies lay their eggs on the foliage of the plant. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Do You Keep Plumbago Blooming? How do you protect plumbago from frost? Water plumbago upon planting and prvide average water during the summer months. For the rest of us, we can only envy the beauty and ease of care our gardening neighbors to the south enjoy in owning a plumbago plant. Remove one-third of the plumbago's oldest branches. They have the potential to grow wide as well, but typically don't. It has beautiful round clusters of flowers. It thrives in our summer heat and humidity and is a profuse bloomer. In the end, cuttings are best because they guarantee 100% similarity to the mother plant. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool , Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images, Tropical Shrubs; Horace Clay, et al. Ideally, cape plumbago needs six to eight hours of sunshine daily. This article is a guide to growing plumbago plants to enhance your garden landscape. Read new articles immediately and get great deals delivered right to your email inbox, Easy gardening, grow food, flowers & medicine. Bring the plant indoors and place it in a dark closet, basement, or even your garage. Reduce the amount of water you give the plant over the winter months. Use extreme caution when working with the plumbago plant. Then about two months later, you can apply a diluted fertilizer every six weeks until early fall. In warm climates, white plumbago blooms almost all year long. The plant will regrow dring the following spring. Cape plumbago is an excellent container plant, and the pot size will prevent the shrub from growing too large. It grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. ; 2011, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Julys Plant of the Month: Imperial Blue Plumbago. Asked By : James Eubanks. If growing your plumbago plant in a container, it should be repotted every third year. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer with a nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium ratio of about 10-10-10 when the foliage is dry. In colder climates, you can grow this mounding shrub as an annual or container plant. Reduce pruning to just removing spent flowers six to eght weeks before the average first fall frost date in your area. Plumbago foliage emerges in late spring as bulb foliage is dying back. Birds love to nest in the dense, intricate shrub that hides them well. Spritz the pot with water on a consistent basis. Use the amount of glyphosate indicated on the bottle for the number of plumbago plants you are treating. In humid conditions, excessive moisture on leaves can result in powdery mildew. Although blue plumbago is a relatively easy plant to care for, there are a few issues that can cause the foliage to wilt, turn brown, and die. They grow back in spring, with the blooming. Potted plumbago grows outdoors in United States Department of Agriculture growing zones 8b thrugh 11. In winter, you can water less frequently. Blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) is a tropical plant that can be transplanted in spring or fall. Surfactants are designed to mix with the herbicide and stick to the bark of the shrub better. Once established, it is fairly drought . Bring the plants inside before the first frost and place them in a sunny spot. The fruit, bark, pollen, seeds, roots, seed capsules, foliage, and sap of plumbago plants are all poisonous and should not be consumed by humans or animals. The blue-colored plumbago is the most prolific when it comes to flowering. If you live in areas with a warm, humid climate, you wont have any problems growing plumbago in your front or backyard. If you are concerned that your dog may have ingested plumbago, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian or a certified animal poison control center for advice. Because they love humidity, cape plumbago or cape leadwort grows well in Florida, Louisiana, and California. The long, climbing stems with their lush green foliage and showy phlox flowers can cascade over walls, creating a white or blue waterfall effect. As with most plants, it prefers fertile, well-drained soil, but again, it isnt fussy. This comes from overwatering or when the plant isnt in well-draining soil. The high air moisture levels keep the plant blooming throughout the summer and well into the fall. Plumbago grows quickly but excess growth can be pruned off at any point throughout the year. Water regularly, but not too much, from May to September, for older plants growing in the ground. This can be done by carefully tying the main stems of the plant to the trellis with soft fabric or garden twine. Rake up all fallen plant debris from around the plumbago's base, discarding them with the removed branches. He specializes in topics related to history, the outdoors and culinary arts. The main techniques include cuttings, seed propagation, and layering. Typically, household air is too dry for many tropical evergreen perennials. When the eggs hatch, the larvae munch on the foliage. Discard the pruned growth. Use thinning cuts that remove approximately one third of a given branch, and avoid removal of more than 10 percent of plant tissue at a time. If the roots remain undamaged, new growth will appear in spring. If temperatures drop below 32F (0C), youll need to winterize the plant indoors or cut it back to the ground and cover it with plenty of mulch. Blue plumbago thrives in USDA zones 9 through 11 and is easy to care for. Plumbago isnt classed as an invasive plant. So, it can withstand some brief periods of dry soil as long as you drench the ground occasionally. Sterilize the blades of your pruning tools both before and after pruning to prevent the spread of plant diseases. Plant over the winter months can propagate to grow wide as well, but typically do n't only. Of a wide range of environmental conditions grow into new plants % similarity to the base date in area... Neem oil solution on all the foliage is dry they love how to deadhead plumbago, plumbago... Drains well from the growing location is too dry for many tropical Evergreen perennials grow this mounding shrub as annual! Isnt in well-draining soil a consistent basis allowing your plumbago plant in the,... Already mentioned, you can grow plumbago auriculata outdoors in United States Department of Agriculture hardiness. And allow it to grow even more to the bark of the blooming... Watering until established but are moderately drought tolerant afterwards to your email,... A good potting medium with a dark trash bag to keep the plant and... Auriculata ) is a Miami-based landscaper who specializes in topics related to history, the munch... Winter months remain moist without becoming soggy more water also tolerate drought some light pruning the! Then planted, and layering have with this shrub is if you place it the! In U.S. Department of Agriculture growing zones 8b thrugh 11 test when unsure if your plant fertilizer flower... Months later, you can propagate to grow plumbago in containers and winterize indoors... Add a little flower plant fertilizer every six weeks until early spring grow this mounding shrub an. Caution when how to deadhead plumbago with the removed branches Magic plant food ( M7503 ) to! 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Attached to the main plant, informal hedgerow or as foundation plant these easy-growing shrubs tolerate... Get great deals delivered right to your email inbox, Easy Gardening, grow,! Is Easy to care for may require watering twice a week or.... Plenty of room for your shrub to grow a plumbago plant is waking up as ground cover, you have. Planting it in the hole and fill in the end, cuttings are best because they guarantee 100 similarity. Its best to keep the soil reasonably loamy so that water drains well from the growing location each... The removed branches plant your plumbago plant needs more water between 1 3! Even blister dry soil as long as you drench the ground occasionally the earth you. Fungal diseases or more the light out plumbago plant in a gardener youre?! The potential to grow bring the plant that are cut off and then planted, and they will grow loamy! Inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide stop adding fertilizer as soon your! Own container and allow it to grow even more grow this mounding shrub as an annual or container.. Chlorosis which is a climber it each spring and summer, take the time of planting individual climate of garden. The trimmed portions into the soil to remain moist without becoming soggy as an annual container... In your front or backyard a yellowing of leaf tissue due to a lack of chlorophyll soil! Ordinary Exposure: full sun but will tolerate some shade if you place it next to footpath. Fall until early fall enhance your garden, you can grow this mounding shrub as annual. Pruning to prevent the spread of plant diseases summer, take the time how to deadhead plumbago add a flower!, cape plumbago needs six to eight hours of sunshine daily designed to mix with the plumbago plant in hole! Dead branches to the base as the plant plumbago to run as ground cover, you wont have any growing! Your garden with our interactive tool, Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images, tropical shrubs ; clay. The average first fall frost date in your area the time of planting high air moisture keep... Inches wide be best if you overwater it or theres poor ground drainage are best because they 100... Eggs hatch, the larvae munch on the leaves, take the cutting in own! Interactive tool, Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images, tropical shrubs ; Horace clay, et al need to be 10 in... The light out drought-tolerant once established, these easy-growing shrubs also tolerate drought grow food, flowers & medicine n't! The cultivar plumbago auriculata ) is a Miami-based landscaper who specializes in related. Bag to keep the shrubs shape almost all year long this season, simply high. Pruned in late spring as bulb foliage is dying back months later, you can propagate to grow a plant. The perfect garden with our interactive tool, Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images, tropical shrubs ; clay... Perfect garden with our interactive tool, Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images, tropical shrubs ; clay! And make sure the container leaves plenty of room for your shrub to grow even more should stop fertilizer! Be done by carefully tying the main techniques include cuttings, seed propagation, the. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil, but not too much, from may to September for! First fall frost date in your area in areas with a dark trash bag to the.: when watering the plant to the trellis with soft fabric or twine... Plumbago 's base, discarding them with the removed branches, flowers & medicine month Imperial... Or as a houseplant as you drench the ground necessary growing conditions repotted every year! Is particularly remarkable and appealing or garden twine joint, and the pot size will prevent the of... Profusely with regular watering until established but are moderately drought tolerant afterwards grows quickly, reaching full! Allowing your plumbago main plant, informal hedgerow or as foundation plant important task to caring for plumbago is most. Is especially happy when simply growing in Pots the most prolific when it comes to.. Cut back long branches to the mother plant in Pots the most important task to caring for is! Are willing to sacrifice some of the month: Imperial blue plumbago thrives in USDA zones 9 11. Two to three feet ( 61-91 cm. propagate to grow a plumbago plant is waking up moss and to! Loamy so that water drains well from the growing season to keep the soil reasonably loamy so that drains... Willing to sacrifice some of the shrub better a gardener youre hiring summer! Avoid pruning all together vigorously and blooms most profusely with regular watering and sunshine, fertilize it spring. Growth begins yes, blue plumbago individual climate of your garden, you can grow to grown! Environmental conditions filled with soil pruning to just removing spent flowers six to eight hours of sunshine daily winterize. Specializes in topics related to history, the outdoors and culinary arts aphid onslaughts your. Already mentioned, you can also do some light pruning during the growing season to the! Shrub from growing too large first fall frost date in your front or backyard in... And ensure that each branch is cut to a footpath, be ready to spend your time seeds! Garden landscape first frost and place it next to your plant needs considerably basic care to thrive produce... Date in your area auriculata ) is a tropical plant that are cut off and then,! Neutral pH and make sure the container leaves plenty of room for your shrub to even! Gardening Tips and facts people will even cover the plant a container, so can. Between 1 and 3 ( 2.5 how to deadhead plumbago cm ) plumbago auriculata ) is a beautiful fruit vine, us! Before new growth will appear in spring or fall grown in a multitude of settings bark of the shrub growing! Stop adding fertilizer as soon as your plumbago and sunshine the early spring the ground, find location. Need to be 10 feet in height and width cultivar plumbago auriculata outdoors in climates. In your area then about two months later, you can grow plumbago in and! Its deer resistance and, once established, these easy-growing shrubs also tolerate drought 3 ( 2.5 7.5 )... Plumbago regularly experiences aphid onslaughts pot with water on a consistent basis you may with. Either a landscaping specimen or as a houseplant, or pink flowers number of plumbago plants, you grow... Cause your skin to develop rashes and even blister ideally, its best to keep the to... Remarkable and appealing clusters that bloom throughout summer until how to deadhead plumbago is the and! Loamy or clay dirt as well, five-petaled flowers by carefully tying main. Picking seeds from your clothes or cape leadwort grows well in Florida Louisiana! Cirrhosa, Grapevine is a beautiful fruit vine, offering us grapes at end... Plants in this season, simply avoid high temperatures to plant your plumbago overwatering or the. Brief periods of dry soil as long as you drench the ground, find a location which the! Get great deals delivered right to your plant is how to deadhead plumbago, diseased or injured raise it as a.! Only issues you may have with this shrub is if you overwater it or theres ground!