LEAD-WORT
Family PLUMBAGINACEAE
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (syn. Plumbago
larpentae)
Perennial
A native of China and one of the loveliest of
all blue-flowered plants.
Of sub-shrubby habit, maintaining a shrubby character
in mild climates, but being cut to ground-level
by severe frost and renewing its growth in spring
to flower on the current season’s growth.
Neat, alternate leaves, with flowers three-quarters
of an inch diameter borne in umbels, and of a
lovely clear blue similar in hue to the familiar
greenhouse plumbago.
When well grown the plant will develop a bushy
habit up to one to one and a half feet.
A fine plant for the front of herbaceous border,
where it associates well with pink and yellow
flowered perennials of similar height.
Should be planted in full sun in a good well-drained
peaty soil with, if possible, a southern or western
exposure. When established is best allowed to
remain undisturbed, being impatient of transplanting
except in a very young stage of growth.
Propagation is by means of cutting taken of nearly
rope wood in cold frame in July or August, or
from seed.
The flowering season is in late summer.
Plumbago Larpentæ
Hardy Perennial
One to two feet.
Flowers light blue, September and October.
A nearly hardy relation of the well-known greenhouse
climber. It forms a low clump, covered late in
the year with beautiful clear blue flowers. It
needs a well-drained soil and open exposure; in
bleak districts a covering of leaves or light
litter may be spread over the roots.
|
