Plumbago auriculata
Cape leadwort / (syn. Plumbago capensis)
- 2 litre pot
- £24.99
- available to order from late spring
Delivery options
- Standard £5.95
- Position: full sun
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
- Rate of Growth: average
- Flowering period: June to November
- Hardiness: frost tender (will need winter protection)
Cape leadwort, an evergreen shrub capable of reaching heights of 4m or more with support, showcases slender, scandent stems bearing oblong to spoon-shaped leaves, measuring 4-7cm (2-3in) in length, and featuring a matte green hue occasionally tinged with a blue-grey tone. This award-winning plant produces trusses of delicate, pale blue flowers measuring 1.5cm (1in) across from June to November, elegantly complementing its leaves.
During the growing season water well and apply a balanced fertiliser each month. To train against a wall choose three of four of the strongest stems as the main framework of the plant and regularly tie in the growing stems to horizontal wires or trellis. This is a frost-tender shrub so will require winter protection either in a greenhouse or conservatory.