Fertilize with a high bloom fertilizer like Flower Magic plant food (M7503). Chemical Fertilizer If you do want to promote blooms, use a 10-30-10 fertilizer. It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. This plant is knon for its versatility and can be used in a variety of settings. Put on garden gloves and cut back the stems of the plumbago to a height of no lower than 12 inches using loppers or pruning shears. No comments yet be the first to share your thoughts! That angle minimizes the wound's surface area while ensuring moisture will run off the wound. Make each cut 1/4 inch above an outward-facing leaf or lateral stem. However, you must cut the plant back to soil level before the first frost. Another beautiful variety that comes in either blue or white is the Plumbago Escapade series. It is sometimes called Cape plumbago, leadwort, or sky flower. 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. Cut these back only after new growth has emerged in spring. Spread a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch around the plants to insulate. If you live in planting zones nine through 11, you dont need to worry about overwintering. A type of milkweed, butterfly weed is generally planted in late spring after the soil is warm. Cut back all remaining branches, removing the top one-third of their growth. It is deer resistant. It has a spread of 1.5m. Both saws and pruning shears are available in extended versions, for hard-to-reach areas. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. 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. Plumbago grows best in organically rich soil that has excellent drainage. Required fields are marked *. The most common reason for plumbago plants to die is poor drainage. Make sure you have a sharp and clean pair of shears for pruning and cutting back your coneflowers. Whether you need a climbing plant, cascading plant, or a shrub, the plumbago plant could suit your needs. ; 2011, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Julys Plant of the Month: Imperial Blue Plumbago. 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The blue and white flowers measure between 1 and 3 (2.5 7.5 cm). Caroline takes great pride in her work, and loves being able to share her knowledge with others through her writing. Both species require regular watering until established but are moderately drought tolerant afterwards. When pruning, be sure to remove any weak or damaged stems and cut back the main stems by about one-third their length. To begin, the plant needs water. Propagating Blue Plumbago Taking stem cuttings in the summer is the best way to propagate blue plumbago plants. If the plant wont budge from or struggles to move in the container, chances are, the roots are bound. If you place it next to a footpath, be ready to spend your time picking seeds from your clothes! Trim each dead branch back to its base, making the cut 1/4 inch above the base. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. PESTS AND DISEASES Plumbago has no serious disease or insect problems. 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. This plant will grow in loamy or clay dirt as well. Planting plumbago is not difficult. Place the branch pieces on a compost pile or in a trash bin. To stop plumbago from spreading too much, prune the plant hard in late winter or early spring. To amend the earth, you can work in peat moss and compost to boost organic matter. In colder climates, you can grow this mounding shrub as an annual or container plant. Cuttings are pieces of the plant that are cut off and then planted, and they will grow into new plants. Plumbago is a shrub that grows to be approximately 9 feet wide and 9 feet tall. Plumbago plants grow as sprawling evergreen shrubs in warm regions. When handling plumbago be sure you cover yourself entirely. Its growing conditions will vary depending upon where the plant will be utilized. Examine the plant by gently tugging on it. All Rights Reserved. Plumbago is a superb vine. Its appealing features are phlox-like lilac-blue flowers and dense green foliage. I want to plant plumbago capensis as a hedge against my rear block wall in an area approximately 3 feet by 65 feet and need to know whether to use plants or seeds and how far apart to plant them. This plant is knon for its versatility and can be used in a variety of settings. It used to have the scientific name Plumbago capensis. Can grow up to 6 foot tall and wide. Blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) is a perennial or annual evergreen shrub. In winter, you can water less frequently. Plumbago benefits from a hard pruning during the dormant season followed by periodic deadheading and shaping through the growing season to maintain its health and appearance. Here is a list of the more common plumbago varieties, grouped by color. The long, climbing stems with their lush green foliage and showy phlox flowers can cascade over walls, creating a white or blue waterfall effect. Discard the pruned growth. Put on safety glasses and spray all of the remaining plumbago stumps with the herbicide mixture until the bark is saturated. Regular watering after planting is a must, on account of faster evaporation compared to plants in the ground. While the plant tends to be upright, the foliage does gently cascade over at the edge of the mass. Pruning also encourages new growth and more flowers. Step 1 Put on garden gloves and cut back the stems of the plumbago to a height of no lower than 12 inches using loppers or pruning shears. This will encourage new growth and more flowers. It is beautiful when planted over a stone or wood retaining wall, allowing its branches to cascade over in a waterfall of foliage and unusual blue flowersand it will bloom all year long. Plumbago shrubs are evergreen perennials originally native to southern Africa, prized for their attractive flowers. The beautiful flowers grow on the end of thin stems. Yes, plumbago does attract bees. Plumbago shrubs need plenty of room. 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. Possible causes of chlorosis include poor drainage, damaged roots, compacted roots, high alkalinity, and nutrient deficiencies in the plant. Again, youll have to cut it back after the first frost and blanket the area with heavy mulch, but in the spring, your plumbago plant will re-emerge to bloom from summer to fall. When growing blue plumbago in containers, it needs a loamy, well-draining potting mix that is amended with peat moss and perlite. Blue or white plumbago thrives in organically rich, fertile soil that drains well. To encourage blooming all summer long, you could also add a teaspoon of fish emulsion to each gallon (3.7 l) of fertilizer liquid. Remove the plant's spent, or old, flowers throughout the year. If spring gets too busy, and you miss your window, you can repot the plant in the fall as its becoming dormant. In olden times, it was believed to be a medicinal plant used as a cure for lead poisoning. Place all of the trimmed portions into the trash or place them in a compost pile to decompose. When growing in a planter, you can prune (and train) it to where the plumbago plant will only be approximately three feet tall and four feet wide. The white plumbago (Plumbago auriculata Alba) looks similar; only it has brilliant snow-white flower heads. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Are Plumbago Poisonous To Dogs? Step 2 - Use sharp, clean pruning shears for cutting. This plant is an attention-grabber because of its gorgeous colors and ability to grow in a variety of settings. Where freezing isnt too harsh (light frost), plumbago will lose its leaves. Cape plumbago is an excellent container plant, and the pot size will prevent the shrub from growing too large. As with most plants, it prefers fertile, well-drained soil, but again, it isnt fussy. These sturdy shrubs make great container plants. As well as handy care tips, youll find advice on growing blue plumbago in containers and how to resolve some growing issues. 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Conversely, in tropical climates where temperatures are warm year-round, plumbago will bloom continuously! It likes sun but seems to do well in shady spots. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, Green Packs has something for you! Pruning in the early spring is also beneficial. You can also add small pebbles to help encourage drainage and keep the plant from becoming soggy. It will grow as an evergreen shrub and makes an excellent foundation plant. These are a few methods you can use to grow plumbago plants in or around your home. Use a good potting medium with a neutral pH and make sure the container leaves plenty of room for your shrub to grow. To winter over in cooler climates, provide a light winter mulch. He specializes in topics related to history, the outdoors and culinary arts. It has a fast growth rate and forms oblong, green leaves. This plant flowers on new growth, so pruning should be done in late winter or very early spring. It generally looks its best when planted in full sun and well-drained soil. Like the blue plumbago, white cape plumbago thrives in zones 9 through 11. Love Plumbago but no garden to set it loose? The current name, Plumbago, was first used by Robert Brown in 1810. When the eggs hatch, the larvae munch on the foliage. Position each cut 1/4 inch above the second to fourth leaf located below the spent flower cluster. Gardening with Real Bananas: Unlocking the Potential of Seeds! Delicious Rhubarb Jam: A Gardeners Guide. It is a popular foundation plant that will spread out, or it can be trained to climb up a trellis if desired. Emerging late in spring, they turn striking bronzy-red or purple in the fall. Pruning in the early spring is also beneficial. Plumbago cutting back - Spring Tip Burncoose 3.83K subscribers Subscribe 24K views 3 years ago Christine shows us how to prune back a plumbago, ideal for encouraging new growth.. 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. {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type": "Question", "name": "Is A Plumbago An Annual Or Perennial? Plumbago is a genus of flowering plants in the leadwort family, Plumbaginaceae. Plumbago auriculata (cape leadwort or cape plumbago) is a toxic plant. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "There is conflicting information available about whether or not plumbago is poisonous to dogs. It is a perennial plant that can be left to grow as a sprawling shrub, allowed to climb nearby trees, pergolas, walls and trellises, or it can be brought into line with a regular haircut. 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