Plumbago
Plumbago auriculata (synonym Plumbago capenis) and other Plumbago species
Vigorous and easy to grow in full sun in SE Qld. Thin caney stems produce a loose shrub, or tend to climb or scramble with suitable support. Although pruning hard every now and again will encorage bushiness, it is not suitable for a mixed shrubbery.
Try it as an informal hedge, or allow it to cascade over a retaining wall or down a sunny bank.
In smaller gardens, train up a fence or trellis for a wall of flower. Alternatively, grow in a large container where it can spill over but be easily controlled.
Suitable for cottage and hertitage gardens, particularly the traditional cultivars with soft blue or white (Plumbago auriculata 'Alba') flowers. The cultivar 'Monott' PBR has a brighter blue flower and is commonly seen for sale in garden centres these days.
Because they are so floriferous, the plumbagos are ideal for white or blue colour-schemed gardens.
There is a native species: Plumbago zeylanica, which aslo occurs in SE Asia.
More Links
The following are for general information and research - some species or cultivars referred to in links may be unavailable in Australia, or difficult to obtain.
Cape Plumbago Plumbago auriculata Moody Demonstration Garden, Arizonia
Plumbago auriculata UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, University of British Columbia, Canada
Pacific flora database of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, USA. Select Plumbago zeylanica from the "Choose A Plant" menu
Chitrak Plumbago zeylanica. Flowers of India
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