Blue Plumbago

Too seldom seen in today's gardens, this classic cottage perennial is a must-have for fall color from both flowers and foliage.

Blue Plumbago was once a mainstay of every self-respecting garden, but now it is too often overlooked. And that's a shame, because few plants offer the ease of care and brilliant color changes that this low-growing, spreading beauty can boast.

Blue Plumbago emerges late in spring, leafing out long after most other perennials, but fully green and lovely all summer. Then, in late season, peacock-blue blooms arise. They continue right into fall, even as temperatures drop and the bold green leaves turn rich shades of mahogany. For several weeks you have an unforgettable show of blue and deep red.

Blue Plumbago reaches no more than a foot high, but spreads up to 18 inches wide. It meanders rather than invades, winding its way gracefully around neighboring plants as well as rocks and other obstacles in the garden. It looks lovely among fall-blooming mums and asters, and makes a good succession bloomer to just about every other perennial, its flowers beginning just as most others' are closing up for the season.

Blue Plumbago is famously easy to grow. Sun to part shade (preferred in most climates) and well-drained soil are all it really asks; if given the choice, it prefers too-dry soil to too-wet. Other than this, it is just fine with temperature extremes (both heat and cold), humidity, poor soil, and periods of drought.

Discover an old-fashioned favorite and add lovely autumn colors to the border with Blue Plumbago.