did you know?

Also known as leadwort (it was thought to be a cure for lead poisoning), plumbago gets its botanical name from the Latin word for lead, According to Hawaiian lore, the essence of this flower restores love and harmony between warring family members.

general maintenance:

Prune throughout the season to maintain desired shape, or tie stems to trellis or fence as needed. In Zones 9 and warmer, prune hard in late winter or early spring to encourage branching. Where not hardy, move plants into a frost-free area before the first frost.

pests/diseases:

Plumbago is relatively carefree outdoors. Spider mites and whiteflies may occur when grown in a greenhouse or overwintered indoors.

controls:

Regularly hose off spider mites and whiteflies with a directed stream of water or apply insecticidal soap, following label directions. To discourage spider mites, mist frequently to increase humidity.

how to sow/plant:

In spring, choose a sunny, well-drained site and amend with compost or well-rotted manure. Set plants at the same depth they were in their original pots 2?4 feet apart. Water and mulch upon planting.

water and fertilize:

Keep plumbago moist during the growing season, and following label directions, apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer biweekly. Reduce watering after flowering.

garden hint:

Unruly plumbago will benefit greatly from a harsh pruning. And don't worry, the flowers will reappear in less than a month.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage
• Attracts Butterflies
• Drought Tolerant
• Evergreen

garden uses:

• Climbing
• Containers
• Edging
• Flowerbed borders
• Ground Cover

other uses:

• Cut Flower

combine with:

other climbers like 'Antique 89' and on a trellis or fence, or in a tropical shrub border with oleander and citrus. Plumbago is also great for container plantings.