Plumbago auriculata

Features and care

Plumbago auriculata, known as blue plumbago or Cape leadwort, is an evergreen shrub with arching branches that can be trained as a climber. Its long-lasting blue flowering makes it a common choice for informal hedges, banks, rockeries, beds, containers and low structures in mild-climate gardens.

It has simple, alternate, light green, oblong leaves. At the branch tips it produces clusters of tubular flowers opening into five lobes, usually sky blue, though white or pink forms exist. It flowers from summer to autumn and, in warm settings, can produce flowers over longer periods.

It grows in full sun or part shade, with denser flowering in sunny positions. It needs dry-to-cool, well-drained soil. Once established it tolerates low watering, with supplemental watering during drought and letting it dry out partially. It reaches 2 to 4 m and grows quickly. Its hardiness falls within USDA zones 9–11, so it needs protection from frost and cold exposure.

At Ornacom we cultivate each specimen directly, guaranteeing a balanced size and abundant flowering from the first years of planting.

Extended species profile

Verified cultivation data, designed so any visitor can see at a glance whether the plant suits their climate and garden.

Cultivation

Exposure

Full sun or part shade

Watering

ORN-RIEGO 2/5 · low — supplemental watering during establishment and drought; let dry out partially

Soil / moisture

Dry to cool; well drained

Flowering

Summer to autumn

Climate

USDA hardiness

Zones 9 – 11

Compatible climates

Csa, Cfa warm, Cwa, Aw

Humid climate tolerance

ORN-HUM 4/5 · high

Maintenance

Growth

ORN-ALT 3/5 · 2-4 m · fast growth

Pests

ORN-PLAGA 3/5 · medium — aphids, whitefly, scale insects, mites and leaf spots/rot in poorly ventilated conditions

Fertilising

ORN-ABONO 3/5 · medium — balanced fertiliser at the start of growth; avoid excess N and soft tissue

  • Warning

Sensitive to frost; irritant sap. Can spread widely in mild climates.

Extended species profile

Verified cultivation data, designed so any visitor can see at a glance whether the plant suits their climate and garden.

Cultivation

Exposure

Full sun or part shade

Watering

ORN-RIEGO 2/5 · low — supplemental watering during establishment and drought; let dry out partially

Soil / moisture

Dry to cool; well drained

Flowering

Summer to autumn

Climate

USDA hardiness

Zones 9 – 11

Compatible climates

Csa, Cfa warm, Cwa, Aw

Humid climate tolerance

ORN-HUM 4/5 · high

Maintenance

Growth

ORN-ALT 3/5 · 2-4 m · fast growth

Pests

ORN-PLAGA 3/5 · medium — aphids, whitefly, scale insects, mites and leaf spots/rot in poorly ventilated conditions

Fertilising

ORN-ABONO 3/5 · medium — balanced fertiliser at the start of growth; avoid excess N and soft tissue

  • Warning

Sensitive to frost; irritant sap. Can spread widely in mild climates.

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