Ceratostigma willmottianum (Chinese Plumbago, Hardy Plumbago)
Botanical Information
Family | Plumbaginaceae |
Genus | Ceratostigma |
Species | willmottianum |
Category | Perennials |
Origin | China and Tibet. |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 8 |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | 8 |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Zone | H4 |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Temperature (°C) | -10 to -5 |
Temperature (°F) | 14 - 23 |
Height | 1 m |
Spread | 1.5 m |
Growth | Medium |
Flowering Period | July, August, September |
Description and Growing Information
General Description | A small ground cover with green leaves that turn a vibrant red in autumn and with rich blue flowers that appear in terminal clusters in mid-summer. |
Landscape | Excellent in cut flower gardens or as a container plant. |
Propagation | Propagate through semi-hardwood cuttings. |
Cultivation | Grow in full sun (preferred) or partial shade in a moist, well-drained soil. |
Notable Specimens | Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. |
Leaf Description | Leaves are green, growing up to 5 cm in length and turning red in autumn. |
Flower Description | Flowers are a rich blue, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, appearing in terminal clusters. |
Photographs
![Ceratostigma willmottianum, form. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019. Ceratostigma willmottianum, form. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019.](photos/Ceratostigma-willmottianum-frm.jpg)
Ceratostigma willmottianum, form. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019.
![Ceratostigma willmottianum, leaf. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019. Ceratostigma willmottianum, leaf. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019.](photos/Ceratostigma-willmottianum-lf.jpg)
Ceratostigma willmottianum, leaf. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019.
![](photos/Ceratostigma-willmottianum-bd.jpg)
![Ceratostigma willmottianum, flower. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019. Ceratostigma willmottianum, flower. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019.](photos/Ceratostigma-willmottianum-flw.jpg)
Ceratostigma willmottianum, flower. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019.
![Ceratostigma willmottianum 'Forest Blue'. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019. Ceratostigma willmottianum 'Forest Blue'. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019.](photos/Ceratostigma_willmottianum-Forest-Blue-flw.jpg)
Ceratostigma willmottianum 'Forest Blue'. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019.
Awards
![](images/RHS_logo.jpg)