Maintenance

Blue Plumbago is relatively easy to grow, and blooms all year in climates with mild winters. With long, thin stems and pale blue flowers, it’s prized as a shrub, climber, potted plant and ground cover.  Although this shrub has few special needs, it does have specific requirements for ideal growth.

Plumbago is propagated from cuttings in the summer, but you can also grow it from seed. Plant plumbago in light, sandy, well-drained soils, spacing each shrub 36 to 60 inches apart to allow room to grow. If spaced properly, blue plumbago will naturally cascade in a fountain shape. Blue plumbago prefers slightly acidic soil, so don’t add lime to the soil or plant in alkaline soils. Blue plumbago requires six or more hours of direct sunlight each day. While it can tolerate partial shade, it will produce fewer blooms than if you plant in full sun. Blue plumbago can be grown indoors and in your garden.

Water

 

Water new plants regularly to keep the soil consistently moist until the plants are established. Once established, blue plumbago requires watering only when the soil is dry to the touch. Blue plumbago is considered moderately drought-tolerant, and excessive moisture can lead to root rot.

Pruning

Plumbago plants should be pruned heavily to control growth, maintain their bush shape and maximize blooms. Blue plumbago blooms on the current season’s growth, so prune faded blooms in late winter. Removing flower buds is not necessary. Remove old, diseased or dead branches completely to allow new growth. Cut back to live or healthy wood when pruning dead or diseased branches. Make angled cuts just above buds when pruning healthy growth to improve your plant’s shape. An application of fertilizer after pruning encourages new growth.

Have questions?  Your landscaping looking a little rough?  We are here to help! Click here for more information about our services and get a free quote.