Plumbago auriculata

Plant of the month: July

Plumbago auriculata

Plumbago auriculata is a South African, tender, scrambling shrub with gorgeous sky blue flowers.

It can reach a height and spread of 2 metres. As the flowers are borne on current season’s growth, it is best pruned annually in early spring to encourage masses of flowers and to keep it in check.

Its favourite conditions are in direct sun in loam based compost and with a minimum of 7 C in the winter. In the U.K, it is best grown on a trellis or up a pillar in a conservatory, but in Mediterranean and Subtropical gardens, it can also be grown as a hedge. See ours on a pillar in the Subtropical House.