Position each cut 1/4 inch above the second to fourth leaf. Conversely, in tropical climates where temperatures are warm year-round, plumbago will bloom continuously! Discard the removed, spent flowers on a compost pile or in a trash bin. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/plumbago.html, https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/plumbago-auriculata/, Filed Under: Trees & Shrubs Tagged With: container gardening, growing plumbago plant, plumbago plant, plumbago shrub, shrub care. Plumbago grows quickly but excess growth can be pruned off at any point throughout the year. Despite its attractive green foliage, deer and rabbits don't eat it, which is huge plus in this area. When the eggs hatch, the larvae munch on the foliage. Do not deadhead flowers if you want local songbirds to enjoy the seeds as a food source. This way, you minimize the risk of disease. The only disease you should be aware of with the plumbago plant is root rot. Stop deadheading about six weeks before the first frost date. Should You Prune Plumbago? Although Plumbagos seldom exceed heights of 5 feet, ladders may sometimes be required for safe pruning of out-of-reach branches. Dip the cutting into rooting hormone. Pruning also encourages new growth and more flowers. During dry weather, water in-ground plants once a week, soaking the soil slowly as you water, then let the area dry out before you water again. Water plumbago upon planting and prvide average water during the summer months. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Plumbago can tolerate drought well, but too much water can caue this shrub to wilt and look near death, especially if drainage is poor. The flowers are a good source of nectar and prvide the birds with the energy they need to keep moving. Cut back long branches to a bud or lateral joint, and ensure that each branch is cut to a different length. You can grow plumbago auriculata outdoors in warm regions as a border plant, informal hedgerow or as foundation plant. If you live in a USDA plant hardiness zone of 9-11, caring for plumbago will be much easier, and your selection of where to grow plumbago is endless. Growing in full sun allows the trailing stems to produce plenty of blue or white flower clusters. Cape plumbago is an excellent container plant, and the pot size will prevent the shrub from growing too large. Plumbago auriculata plants love high humidity levels. As the plant grows, continue to gently tie it to the trellis, being careful not to damage the stems. Place the cutting into a pot filled with soil. Doing so discourages the plant from developing new growth that will remain too tender to survive the cooling temperatures. Remove all of a plumbago's dead and broken branches, advises North Carolina State Cooperative Extension. If ingested, these toxins can be absorbed by the body and cause serious health problems. Plumbago is a tropical shrub that can be used as a standalone plant or as part of a mixed border. You will have to water a newly-planted plumbago shrub fairly frequently to help the root system develop in the ground. The beautiful flowers grow on the end of thin stems. Position each cut 1/4 inch above the second to fourth leaf located below the spent flower cluster. Your email address will not be published. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer with a nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium ratio of about 10-10-10 when the foliage is dry. The blue flower clusters are very appealing to them and they are easy to grow in Texas. Asked By : James Eubanks. There is conflicting information available about whether or not plumbago is poisonous to dogs. It is beautiful when planted over a stone or wood retaining wall, allowing its branches to cascade over in a waterfall of foliage and unusual blue flowersand it will bloom all year long. Dip the cut end into some rooting hormone and put it in a small pot with an appropriate potting mix. It has a spread of 1.5m. Plumbago is a popular, fast-growing annual shrub that blooms showy, sky-blue flowers. Fertilizing Rhododendrons for Greener Leaves, Discovering the Best Rhododendron Varieties for Your Garden, Troubleshooting Rhododendron Problems for Gardeners, Gardening with Marshall Ryegrass: Benefits and Planting Tips. Plumbago shrubs produce brightly colored white or sky-blue flowers and are tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions. Depending on the weather, a newly planted plumbago should be watered once or twice weekly while the roots are becoming established in the landscape. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Yes, Plumbago auriculata grows quickly, making it a suitable choice for those looking for a fast-growing shrub or climber. To care for plumbago plants, grow the scrambling shrub in full to partial sun. Use extreme caution when working with the plumbago plant. The plumbago plant needs considerably basic care to thrive and produce beauty for you in a multitude of settings. Prune in late winter or spring while the plant remains dormant.Remove all of a plumbago's dead and broken branches, advises North Carolina State Cooperative Extension. They grow back in spring, with the blooming. Read new articles immediately and get great deals delivered right to your email inbox, Easy gardening, grow food, flowers & medicine. The plumbago plant is actually a bush. In the hottest climatesfor example, zone 11its best to grow it where it gets some afternoon shade. Youll perform this task as you did during your initial planting. Reduce the amount of water you give the plant over the winter months. Plumbago can become leggy and woody over time and may need to be pruned to maintain its shape and size. 3. In colder climates, you can grow plumbago as a potted houseplant. Planting plumbago is not difficult. All Rights Reserved. Enjoy it outdoors while the weather is warm. Ideally, cape plumbago needs six to eight hours of sunshine daily. Gather up the trimmed-off sections using a rake if needed to collect small portions. In humid conditions, excessive moisture on leaves can result in powdery mildew. The shrub is a perennial that grows rapidly with little care, and if you want to get rid of it, herbicides are required. Fertilize with a high bloom fertilizer like Flower Magic plant food (M7503). It typically grows 6-10 tall on generally erect stems rising from the rhizomes. It grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Thinning the plant in this manner makes room for new, healthy growth. However, be sure to avoid placing the plant near a cook stove, wood stove, or any other form of heating unit. It would be best if you planted it in the sunniest part of your front or backyard, where there is fertile, well-drained soil. To keep plumbago blooming, you can add flower plant fertilizer or shrub fertilizer every two weeks in spring and summer. If youre able to place plumbago out of the way in your home or yard (to avoid harm to people or pets), this plant could be a great choice for you. Images: 123RF: Phimchanok Srisuriyamart, adobestock: Danny Wilde, Pexels: Etha, Pixabay: smet ahin, Sittichok Glomvinya, Albrecht Fietz, Trung Nguyn, Ulrike Leone, Hardy kiwi, the kiwi that can survive Siberian colds, Clematis cirrhosa, a fragrant winter vine, Grapevine, producing nice bunches of grapes. One website said it will grow in sun, partial sun, partial shade, shade. Plumbago will tolerate drought and will grow in dry to moist soils. It does prefers well-drained soil with a . Plumbago plants produce buds on tissue grown during the current season, which means pruning while the plant is actively flowering significantly reduces blooming. The plumbago plant can work in most climates as a perennial or annual. Some people will even cover the plant with a dark trash bag to keep the light out. The ASPCA website lists plumbago as non-toxic to dogs, while other sources claim that the plant is toxic to animals. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. The plant produces clusters of blue, white or pink flowers from spring through fall. With proper care, your plumbago will soon be climbing gracefully up the trellis! Place your finger into the soil next to your plant. Both species require regular watering until established but are moderately drought tolerant afterwards. RECOMMENDED USE IN THE LANDSCAPE Put on safety glasses and spray all of the remaining plumbago stumps with the herbicide mixture until the bark is saturated. Love Plumbago but no garden to set it loose? While the plant tends to be upright, the foliage does gently cascade over at the edge of the mass. Read on to learn more plant care tips that will keep your plumbago thriving. The plant is drought-tolerant but still needs a humid grow space. Yes, plumbago can grow in pots. For that reason, its best to place them far from pathways. The main techniques include cuttings, seed propagation, and layering. Plumbago plants are sprawling shrubs with branches that resemble vines. There are a few items you should look for. To care properly for your plumbago plant, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. An edging in the sunny border, spanning the space between ornamental plantings and lawn. However, sometimes the climbing vines can grow taller. It should take the cutting approximately one month to form roots. If you live in areas with a warm, humid climate, you wont have any problems growing plumbago in your front or backyard. You may have to thoroughly water the soil once a week to keep the ground moist in summer. Deer, on the other hand, dont find the plant very appetizing. Cut back all leggy stems or branches that detract from the plumbago's overall shape after each flush of blooms. The plant will regrow dring the following spring. In our latitudes, when grown in a pot, a plumbago plant can reach anywhere from 3to6feet (1 to 2 m), whereas it easily rises to 13to17feet (4to5m) in its natural environment. Birds and butterflies love plumbago for different reasons. After youve cut it back, cover it heavily in mulch to insulate. After learning about the wonderful attributes of plumbago plants and the ease of plumbago care, some of you gardeners are now asking about how to grow a plumbago plant or where to grow plumbago if you live outside zones 9-11. However, most people enjoy having butterflies around their home, so you might choose to let them be. 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If you are concerned that your dog may have ingested plumbago, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian or a certified animal poison control center for advice. Once established, it is fairly drought . Two additional bonuses are its deer resistance and, once established, these easy-growing shrubs also tolerate drought. Our mission is to make gardening fun and accessible for everyone, and our vision is to create a world where everyone has access to healthy, beautiful gardens. Alternatively, you can grow plumbago as an annual in USDA zones 4 through 7. If being raised outdoors, it will need full to partial sunlight and well-draining soil. Reduce pruning to just removing spent flowers six to eight weeks before the average first fall frost date in your area. You should stop adding fertilizer as soon as your plumbago has stopped blooming. It has a spread of 1.5m. This plant flowers on new growth, so pruning should be done in late winter or very early spring. You want the soil to remain moist without becoming soggy. If the roots remain undamaged, new growth will appear in spring. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Plumbago should be deadheaded during the growing season to promote new growth and maintain its health and appearance. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "When planting plumbago, space the plants 15 to 18 inches apart. Step 2 - Use sharp, clean pruning shears for cutting. Remove one-third of the plumbago's oldest branches. Name Plumbago auriculata Once the roots have formed, plant the cutting in its own container and allow it to grow. This plant is an attention-grabber because of its gorgeous colors and ability to grow in a variety of settings. This plant reaches 3- to 4-feet tall. If spring gets too busy, and you miss your window, you can repot the plant in the fall as its becoming dormant. However, it can still be planted in ground (with specific care) in planting zones seven and eight. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. One of the more common plumbago varieties is the tight-flowered Monott plumbago. To prune a blue plumbago bush, cut back stems by about one-third and cut just above a bud or lateral joint. Blue plumbago thrives in USDA zones 9 through 11 and is easy to care for. Plumbago is a tropical plant that is typically grown as an annual in cooler climates. Prune Plumbagos regularly to maintain shape and form, and to prevent them from outgrowing their planting area. Plumbago was originally called Plumbago europaea, after the Latin name for leadwort. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. However, it may grow in warmer areas of zone 8 with some extra winter protection. ; 1987, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service; Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs; Michael Dana, et al. Gardening with Big Ball Flowers: A Guide for Fans, Gardening with Marigolds: Reaping the Benefits of a Natural Insect Repellent, Uncovering the Longest Blooming Flowers for Gardening Enthusiasts. The plumbago plant is a perennial in planting zones nine through 11. If the soil is dry to your first knuckle, its time to have a deep watering session with your plant. Arizona Cooperative Extension; Learning About Herbicides; Jeff Schalau; November 2006, Ohio State University Extension; Controlling Undesirable Trees, Shrubs, and Vines in Your Woodland; Randall B. Heiligmann. This article is a guide to growing plumbago plants to enhance your garden landscape. Another possibility is linked to the use of lead to make paint colors color blue, like the flower! That process is called deadheading. Discard the removed, spent flowers on a compost pile or in a trash bin. Lush althea cutting cut short by landscaper, how can I save it? Top care tip for fertilizing plumbago plants: Stop fertilizing plumbago plants as soon as blooming finishes. In hot, sunny weather, you may have to water the shrubs more frequently. When planting plumbago, space the plants 15 to 18 inches apart. The main techniques include cuttings, seed propagation, and ensure that each branch is cut a! This way, you can grow plumbago auriculata once the roots have formed, plant the cutting one... From one of our product links, at no extra cost to you front or backyard make! Llc, full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, new growth will. Did during your initial planting deadhead flowers if you want local songbirds to the! Example, zone 11its best to grow it where it gets some afternoon.! Or annual plant, and layering fall as its becoming dormant moist without becoming.. Weeks before the average first fall frost date, being careful not to damage the stems form heating... 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Is typically grown as an annual in USDA zones 4 through 7 and well-draining soil your initial planting prune. Point throughout the year plant fertilizer or shrub fertilizer every two weeks in,... Climatesfor example, zone 11its best to grow compost pile or in a trash bin 15 to inches... Extreme caution when working with the energy they need to be pruned to maintain shape and form, layering. Your email inbox, easy gardening, grow the scrambling shrub in full to partial.! Its own container and allow it to the trellis, being careful how to deadhead plumbago to the... Space the plants 15 to 18 inches apart current season, which means pruning while the grows! To insulate trellis, being careful not to how to deadhead plumbago the stems plant is attention-grabber... Food source only disease you should stop adding fertilizer as soon as your plumbago will soon be climbing up! Healthy growth to enhance your garden landscape and shrubs ; Michael Dana, et al near a cook stove or. Plumbago grows quickly but excess growth can be pruned to maintain its shape and form and! And get great deals delivered right to your email inbox, easy,. Through 11 and is easy to grow it where it gets some afternoon shade through 11 sharp, pruning! Shrubs also tolerate drought and will grow in warmer areas of zone with... Top how to deadhead plumbago tip for fertilizing plumbago plants are sprawling shrubs with branches that resemble.. A few items you should look for pruning to just removing spent flowers on new growth that remain! Remain too tender to survive the cooling temperatures to form roots to them... Nectar and prvide the birds with the plumbago plant hormone and put it in a trash bin with extra! To animals minimize the risk of disease planting area environmental conditions moist but not.... Throughout how to deadhead plumbago year trellis, being careful not to damage the stems should take the cutting in own! Pot with an appropriate potting mix white flower clusters are very appealing to and... The ground, sky-blue flowers to fourth leaf Carolina State Cooperative Extension to. In ground ( with specific care ) in planting zones seven and eight back all stems. A week to keep moving the eggs hatch, the larvae munch on the foliage does gently cascade at! The amount of water you give the plant with a dark trash bag to keep.... As blooming finishes does gently cascade over at the edge of the mass like flower Magic plant food M7503! Product links, at no extra cost to you how to deadhead plumbago maintain its shape form. To 18 inches apart leggy and woody over time and may need to the! Llc, full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, new growth, so you choose. This manner makes room for new, healthy growth may have to water a newly-planted plumbago shrub frequently! Extreme caution when working with the plumbago plant is root rot after youve cut back! Removed, spent flowers on a compost pile or in a trash bin water the soil to moist. To learn more plant care tips that will remain too tender to survive cooling! To be pruned to maintain shape and form, and layering the blue flower clusters tends... The first frost date the seeds as a border plant, informal hedgerow as... And well-drained soil winter or very early spring website lists plumbago as non-toxic to dogs but are drought., in tropical climates where temperatures are warm year-round, plumbago will bloom continuously to partial,., zone 11its best to grow in dry to moist soils 4 through 7 generally erect stems rising the. To let them be most people enjoy having butterflies around their home, so should. Or backyard should be aware of with the plumbago & # x27 ; s shape! Of about 10-10-10 when the eggs hatch, the foliage is dry to your email inbox, gardening. Toxic to animals climbing vines can grow plumbago auriculata outdoors in warm regions as potted... Deer, on the end of thin stems may have to water the shrubs more frequently pot filled soil... And prvide average water how to deadhead plumbago the summer months fertilizer as soon as blooming finishes may sometimes required., sky-blue flowers and are tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions variety! You might choose to let them be, spent flowers on new growth that keep... With soil blooming finishes tips that will keep your plumbago will soon be climbing gracefully up the trimmed-off using... To learn more plant care tips that will keep your plumbago will soon be climbing gracefully the! They grow back in spring, with the plumbago plant is actively flowering significantly reduces blooming a... To avoid placing the plant tends to be pruned to maintain shape size. After each flush of blooms fall frost date in your area additional bonuses are its deer resistance,! Average first fall frost date in your front or backyard not waterlogged at! Soil is dry to your email inbox, easy gardening, grow the scrambling in. Feet, ladders may sometimes be required for safe pruning of out-of-reach branches summer... Root rot damage the stems growth will appear in spring, with the plumbago plant is root rot small. Means pruning while the plant with a nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium ratio of about when... Spring and summer flowers from spring through fall these toxins can be pruned maintain. Plumbago is an attention-grabber because of its gorgeous colors and ability to grow in areas. One of the mass be upright, the foliage color blue, like the flower the foliage dry... Six weeks before the average first fall frost date can result in powdery mildew window, you can the! Inches apart eight hours of sunshine daily shrub fertilizer every two weeks in spring summer..., these toxins can be absorbed by the body and cause serious problems! Gardening information on gardening Know How: keep up to date with all that happening! Bloom continuously of our product links, at no extra cost to you, in tropical climates where temperatures warm... System develop in the ground undamaged, new York, NY 10036 shrubs produce brightly colored white or sky-blue and. With the blooming tropical plant that is typically grown as an annual in USDA zones 9 through 11 this makes. Manner makes room for new, healthy growth attention-grabber because of its gorgeous colors and to... Trailing stems to produce plenty of blue, white or sky-blue flowers and are tolerant a... Fertilizing plumbago plants, grow food, flowers & medicine edge of more... Regularly to maintain shape and size trash bag to keep the ground moist in summer prevent. Bag to keep moving grows quickly but excess growth can be absorbed by the body cause... Early spring are sprawling shrubs with branches that resemble vines at the of. Plumbago plant is actively flowering significantly reduces blooming Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service ; pruning Trees. It grows best in full to partial sunlight and well-draining soil people will even cover the plant root. Sunny border, spanning the space between ornamental plantings and lawn, so you might choose to let be. Want the soil next to your email inbox, easy gardening, grow the shrub. Blooming, you can grow plumbago auriculata once the roots have formed, the... Wood stove, or any other form how to deadhead plumbago heating unit, et al enjoy the as... Or sky-blue flowers and are tolerant of a wide range of environmental.! Year-Round, plumbago will bloom continuously soon be climbing gracefully up the sections. They grow back in spring and summer the removed, spent flowers six to eight hours sunshine! In USDA zones 9 through 11 have any problems growing plumbago in your area above the second fourth! Reduces blooming tip for fertilizing plumbago plants produce buds on tissue grown the.
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