[James Kilkelly, was GPI.]

Photo / pic / image of Ceratostigma willmottianum.
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Ceratostigma willmottianum facts and information.

Consider planting Ceratostigma willmottianum commonly known as ‘Chinese Plumbago’ or “Blue Leadwort”. This small deciduous (sheds and renews leaves annually) shrub originated in China and Tibet and its bushy round form reaches a height of 1 metre (3ft); with a similar spread. Plumbago is a good front of border plant with a dramatic lilac blue flower resembling the flower of the periwinkle, flowering starts in midsummer and will continue until late autumn. The flowers are held aloft pointed leaves that display fiery hues once the cold weather arrives. You will enjoy leaf shades of crimson and bronze before they drop flaming to the ground for winter.

Ceratostigma willmottianum is quite tough and robust with very few pest and disease problems; occasionally its stems may be killed right down by heavy frost and snow only to reappear just as strong next season. I highly recommend this plant if you have a poor soil as it tends to cope quite well with those conditions, the main requirement is to provide full sun to allow heavy flowering. Team the plant with perennial Geraniums and Anemones for an informal cottage garden feel.

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Caryophyllales