The slender red stems of this low spreading, woody perennial are clothed in bright green leaves, which take on spectacular red shades in autumn before they fall. They are mainly grown however for their vivid blue flowers, which form in small clusters from late summer to mid-autumn. A superb plant for adding late colour to the front of the border, it will become drought tolerant once established.
How to care for Ceratostigma plumbaginoides:
In early or mid-spring cut back the flowered shoots to within 2.5cm (1in) of the old growth. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.45m
Eventual spread:
0.3m
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
-
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.