Plumbago
Plumbago auriculata
Also known as
Cape Leadwort, Blousyselbos (Afr.), Umabophe (Xhosa/Zulu), Umasheleshele (Zulu)
2007 plumbago auriculata by Rl (CC-BY-SA-3.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Light watering
Tender
10b
USDA zone
2°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
4m | Max | 3.5m |
3m | Min | 1.5m |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has no fragrance
More images of Plumbago
Plumbago Overview
Plumbago auriculata is a popular, evergreen shrub that scrambles (with support) over walls and archways. It can also be trained against a sheltered, sunny wall outside - or under glass. Its beautiful light to medium blue flowers appear from summer to autumn and its evergreen leaves are spoon-shaped and light green. It is a vigorous plant that grows fast. Because it is tender, Cape leadwort - a name by which it's also known - is best grown as a conservatory plant in frost-prone areas. Preferring full sun outdoors, it can tolerate partial shade and needs fertile, well-drained soil. Originally from South Africa, Plumbago auriculata is popular with a wide range of wildlife. It is used as a traditional medicine and its sticky flowers are used by children to make earrings! Cape Leadwort is indigenous to South Africa and its distribution ranges from the Southern Cape, Eastern Cape and into KwaZulu-Natal. Also found in areas of Gauteng, Free State and North West Province. There is also an isolated distribution in Mpumalanga.
Common problems with Plumbago
Plumbago Companion Plants
How to propagate Plumbago
Cuttings
Cuttings can be used but are less successful when compared to suckering. Use semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings and place in well-drained sand until roots have formed.
Seed
Sow in autumn, 3m apart and place a thin layer of soil over the seeds. Do not sow deep. Germination should be more or less one month.
Suckers
The best way to propagate the Cape Leadwort is to remove the sucker - with roots and stem - and replant.
Special features of Plumbago
Attracts useful insects
Cape Leadwoth is visited regularly by butterflies which could also serve as a pollinator for other plants.
Drought resistant
Wind break
Attractive flowers
Attracts butterflies
Autumn colour
Attracts birds
Birds, including robins, will visit your garden in flowering time.
Hedge plant
Screening is the main use of this wonderful plant in warmer climates.
Attracts bees
Pot plant
Make sure the soil is rich in compost and water regularly if placed in full sun.
Other uses of Plumbago
Medicinal
As a traditional medicine it has been reported that Cape Leadwort has been used to treat warts, broken bones and wounds, is used as a snuff for headaches.
Decorative Hedge
Grows quickly into a dense hedge of medium height.
