Plumbago auriculata

The Plumbago auriculata, or Cape Leadwort, is an exuberant semi-climbing bush, highly regarded by gardeners in mild regions, where frost does not strike too hard or last too long. This plant is originally from South Africa and loves sunny and warm environments. It produces beautiful and long-lasting blue flowering, rare among bushes that flower in summer and autumn. The blue shade wonderfully complements all the other colours in the garden until late in the season. However, it is not very hardy in colder areas. Therefore, it is advisable to grow it in a pot and bring it inside a greenhouse as soon as the temperature drops.

The Plumbago auriculata, commonly known as the Cape Leadwort, is a plant that belongs to the Plumbaginaceae family. It is part bush and part climber, with flexible branches that can grow up to 2.5 to 3 metres tall and spread 2.5 metres wide unless pruned back due to cold weather. When grown in a pot, its size is smaller, around 1.5 metres tall and 1 metre wide. The plant has dense, rounded, and unruly habits if not trained against a wall. 

The most striking feature of the Cape Leadwort is its beautiful flowering, which starts in July and lasts until the first frost. During this time, the bush is covered with numerous panicles of clear light blue flowers growing at the branches' ends. Each bouquet comprises dozens of tiny flowers, similar to phlox, and measures 10 to 15 cm long. The leaves of the Cape Leadwort are light green and vivid, measuring about 5 cm in length and 2 cm in width. They are evergreen in mild climates and oblong in shape. The Cape Leadwort is easy to grow and care for and a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape.

The Plumbago auriculata is an easy-to-grow plant that can adapt to different needs. It can be grown in open ground or pots, provided it is planted properly and given enough food, water, and sunlight. It is a versatile plant that can be used in many ways. It can be used for mass plantings, as a standalone specimen, or as a large ground cover. It can also be trained on a support like a trellis or fence. Some gardeners even plant it at the top of a retaining wall to enjoy its beautiful sky-blue flowers. The plant's neutral and pastel-coloured flowers easily blend with other flowering bushes in mild climates. For example, it can be combined with other colourful flowers like Sesbania punicea, Melaleuca gibbosa, Gomphostigma virgatum, ivy geraniums, dwarf pomegranate, or oleander. In the summertime, Indian lilacs can be added to create a beautiful ensemble of vibrant colours softened by the plant's celestial flowers.