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Plumbago is a beautiful blue flowering evergreen for warm and semitropic areas . These low - maintenance plants are course pest - insubordinate , making them a great choice for beginner gardeners calculate to add color to the landscape .
study on to pick up more about how to farm and care for this attractive and undemanding bush .
What Is A Plumbago Shrub?
Plumbago auriculata , or just Plumbago , as it ’s commonly known , is an evergreen shrub with mounting tendency from the Plumbaginaceae family . These plumbago plants are also called cape plumbago , dreary plumbago , sky heyday , Plumbago europaea , or mantle Plumbago europaea . Along with P. auriculata , there are about 20 unlike plumbago species in the genus .
Thesevery fast - growing shrubsare native to South Africa , and they usually originate to about 10 ft ( 3 m ) tall and all-encompassing . The thinly textured leaves of this flora are smart green when young , darkening with age and can be anything from 1 to 3 column inch ( 2.5 to 7.5 cm ) long .
Plumbago Flowers
Plumbagos produce masses of beautiful sky gentle flowers , or from time to time white flowers on fresh wood , each with 5 petals . These plumbago shrubs flower on unexampled wood in spring , summer , and fall or at any time of the year in area without frost .
The calyx of these blossom is covered in sticky hairs which are thought to help disperse the plumbago seeds when the unusual drear flower stick to the coat of fade brute .
Some sources suggest that these plants may be carnivorous during blossoming , although the sticky hair may just be a defense against insects .
Other Plumbago Species
P. zeylanicaor the white Plumbago europaea or chitrak is a white-hot anthesis species that is found in tropical and semitropical areas throughout the universe . This plant farm to about 5 ft ( 1.5 m ) high-pitched , and a small wider . This species bask full sunlight and can be grown in zone 10 and 11 .
P. indica , is another plumbago industrial plant that is suitable for gardening . This plant is commonly make out as the Indian or reddish Plumbago europaea . These Southeast Asian flora raise beautiful pinkish flowers and farm well in subtropical mood .
How To Grow Plumbago Plants
The graphite is a fast - grow industrial plant that is quite easily grown from seed , sown in the bounce . turn from cuttings is another good option for propagating Modern plants , although belike the easiest method acting is to simply bump off and replant sucker . ( 1 )
These efflorescence plants are quite tolerant of a variety of soil types , although they show a predilection for slightly acidic well drained dirt that is fertile and hold constituent material .
Plumbagos are adapted to grow in areas with a distinct showery time of year . They have moderate water needs and can be quite drouth - resistant once established .
Just be sure to water your plant on a regular basis for the first few weeks after plant to help it through the stress of planting . Plants grown in a container will usually need to be watered more on a regular basis than those planted in the ground .
Plumbago shrub does good in full sun but will support fond shade , so flora this shrub in a burnished and cheery maculation if you have one available .
Choose a web site that is protected from wind if potential and plant black lead somewhere with enough room for it to spread to its full size . Plumbago does good if grown in USDA zona 8 to 11 .
Care and Maintenance
Plumbagos are very low maintenance plants that are very tolerant of pruning , making them a great choice for a formal hedge .
Frequent pruning may either shake up , or diminish flowering depending on the timing , but it is often necessary to keep this spreading flora looking neat and compendious .
Growth can be quite vigorous and this plant will climb structures and other flora so keep the shear at hand . This plant grows by fall guy and can pass around quite widely if left to naturalize . Simply remove these suckers to keep your industrial plant contained . plant can be snub right back in wintertime , or you could remove Robert Frost - damage growth in other springtime .
Plumbago is a plant that prefer a balmy climate and will strike down leaves if exposed to icing . In very cold area , this plant might originate as a perennial or may even have to be grown as an annual .
Generally , extra fertilizing is not necessary when growing these indoor plant but if you have very nutrient - deficient soil , and your plant is not bloom , you may wish to fertilize with an constitutional plant food in the warm season .
These plants lean to be by nature pest and disease repellent but test to wield secure air flow between plants by space them adequately .
Uses
Horticultural Uses
Plumbago bush has many the States in the garden . These flora look great when develop in container and take into account to hang over the edges of pots . Other common America admit growing as substructure plantings , ground blanket , or even grow as a vine on pergola , on a trellis , or on fences .
Human Uses
The roots and leaves of this plant have been used traditionally in South Africa as a discussion for worry , warts , and fractures . ( 2 )
Wildlife Uses
Pollinators like butterflies enjoy visiting the blossoms of this plant life . luckily , plumbago is considered to be adeer resistant bush .
FAQs
Is plumbago indoor or outdoor ?
Plumbago is primarily produce outdoors in garden and landscape , where it boom in warm mood . It can be cultivate as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 8 - 11 .
Can plumbago be grown in pots ?
Yes , plumbago can be grown in pots or containers , which is especially useful for gardeners in cool mood who may need to bring the plant indoors during wintertime or frosty conditions . Ensure the container has decent drain pickle and use a well - run out potting mix .
Can plumbago be a houseplant ?
Yes , Plumbago can be grow indoors as a houseplant , but it requires bright , collateral light and consistent warmheartedness to fly high . It may not flower as abundantly indoors compare to out-of-door growing stipulation , but it can still make an attractive leaf plant .
Why is my black lead dying ?
Several factors could cause a plumbago industrial plant to decline , including overwatering , underwatering , poor light source , plague , disease , or environmental tenseness . appraise the plant ’s tutelage routine and growing conditions to discover and address any issues quickly .
Is Plumbago toxic to homo ?
Plumbago contains compounds that are toxic if ingest , and contact with the sap may make tegument irritation or hypersensitive reactions in some soul . Keep the plant out of reaching of kid and favorite , and wash your hands thoroughly after handle .
Can you grow Plumbago from cuttings ?
Yes , plumbago can be propagated from stem press cutting . Take 4 - 6 in cutting from intelligent , non - flowering stem , remove the small leaves , and constitute them in moist , well - draining soil . station the cutting in a fond , bright location , and they should root within a few weeks .
ending
As a beautiful , low - maintenance industrial plant that can be used in a number of ways in the garden , plumbago is gruelling to beat . supply you live on in the right climate zone , consider this plant for the evergreen foliage and attractive blue floral emphasis it provides .
If you love racy flowering bush , check theseplants with puritanic flowers .
References
Reference List :
( 1 ) Aubrey , A. Plumbago auriculata .
( 2 ) Van Wyk , B. , van Oudtshoorn , B. & Gericke , N. Medicinal Plants Of South Africa .
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