Plumbago auriculata

Plumbago auriculata

Cape leadwort

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does not flower in May

Plant does flower in June

Plant does flower in July

Plant does flower in August

Plant does flower in September

Plant does flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

  • Botanical name: Plumbago auriculata
  • Common name: Cape leadwort
  • Family: Plumbaginaceae
  • Plant Type: Conservatory, Evergreen
Flower colour:

Blue

Foliage colour:

Green

Cape leadwort, Plumbago auriculata, is a vigorous, evergreen climber typically use for covering large conservatory walls. Although tender, it can be grown outside in summer, trained up a trellis or obelisk. Strictly speaking a shrub but best grown as a climber, it bears masses of intense blue, unscented flowers all summer and into autumn. 

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For best results grow Plumbago auriculata in a large pot of multi-purpose compost in the conservatory or greenhouse. If growing outside, cut back to ground level and bring back undercover in autumn. It has been given the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

How to grow Plumbago auriculata

  • Plant size

    4m height

    1.5m spread

  • Aspect

    South facing, west facing

  • Sun exposure: Full sun
  • Hardiness: Tender
  • Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / acidic
  • Plant care: Needs regular watering in pots

Plant calendar

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sow
Sow

Do not Sow in January

Do not Sow in February

Do Sow in March

Do Sow in April

Do Sow in May

Do not Sow in June

Do not Sow in July

Do not Sow in August

Do not Sow in September

Do not Sow in October

Do not Sow in November

Do not Sow in December

Plant
Plant

Do not Plant in January

Do not Plant in February

Do not Plant in March

Do not Plant in April

Do Plant in May

Do Plant in June

Do not Plant in July

Do not Plant in August

Do not Plant in September

Do not Plant in October

Do not Plant in November

Do not Plant in December

Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does not flower in May

Plant does flower in June

Plant does flower in July

Plant does flower in August

Plant does flower in September

Plant does flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

Take cuttings
Take cuttings

Do not Take cuttings in January

Do not Take cuttings in February

Do not Take cuttings in March

Do not Take cuttings in April

Do not Take cuttings in May

Do Take cuttings in June

Do Take cuttings in July

Do Take cuttings in August

Do not Take cuttings in September

Do not Take cuttings in October

Do not Take cuttings in November

Do not Take cuttings in December

Prune
Prune

Do not Prune in January

Do not Prune in February

Do not Prune in March

Do not Prune in April

Do not Prune in May

Do not Prune in June

Do not Prune in July

Do not Prune in August

Do not Prune in September

Do Prune in October

Do Prune in November

Do not Prune in December

Plumbago auriculata and wildlife

Plumbago auriculata has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Plumbago auriculata poisonous?

Plumbago auriculata irritates skin, irritates eyes, is harmful if ingested, causes an upset stomach and toxins are absorbed by the skin. Its fruit, bark, pollen, seeds, roots, seed capsules, foliage and sap are toxic.

Toxic to:

Toxic to People

No reported toxicity to:

No reported toxicity to Birds

No reported toxicity to Cats

No reported toxicity to Dogs

No reported toxicity to Horses

No reported toxicity to Livestock

Plants that go well with Plumbago auriculata

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