Ceratostigma Ground Cover

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Ceratostigma (Hardy Plumbago)

Ceratostigma ground cover, is a low growing, spreading, woody perennial with attractive slender red stems clothed in bright green leaves which turn bright red before falling in Autumn. However, it is grown mainly for its striking vivid blue flowers, which appear in small clusters from late Summer to mid-Autumn. It makes a great ground cover plant and is perfect for adding late colour to the front of the border.

The beauty of Ceratostigma (Hardy Plumbago) ground cover is the changing colours it delivers, giving a long season of interest when some other plants are past their best, starting with the unusual red stems, followed by the freshness of the neat green leaves which gradually take on warmer reddish tones before bursting into clusters of bright blue, almost violet, five petalled flowers from August to September.

Grow Ceratostigma ground cover towards the front of a sheltered, sunny border. It will happily thrive in chalk, clay, sandy or loam soils so long as they are well drained. Cut back any shoots that are frost damaged and dead flowers in spring to allow for new growth. Once established it develops tolerance to drought.

As a rough guide when planting Ceratostigma as ground cover – 4 plants per square metre is adequate with a little patience, 6 will give better coverage, and 9-12 will make a weed supressing carpet very quickly.