Name:  Ceratostigma plumbagionoides aka blue leadwort or hardy plumbago.  

Type of Plant: a low-growing, perennial ground cover hardy in zones 6-9. Dies to the ground in the winter.

Why I Love this Plant: First of all, this perennial is later to emerge in the spring, so it’s a perfect plant to put around early-flowering bulbs such as Crocus. Secondly, once established blue leadwort grows thickly enough to out-compete weeds. (YAY!) And last but far from least, the flowers are  a true blue and they appear in the fall. The buds and seedheads are a rusty color which adds to the plants interest. Especially in the fall.

This perennial is perfect for underplanting of shrubs.

A Word to the Wise:   This plant grows well in full sun to part shade. It can be somewhat aggressive in prime growing conditions such as good soil and regular watering. It is not considered invasive.

Ceratostigma plumbagionoides is a great “socks and shoes” plant for around shrubs. It grows about 6 to 10 inches tall.

It’s the plant that both the botanic (Ceratostigma) and the common (plumbago) names sound like a disease. The common name refers to the fact that the blue flowers kind of resemble the true Plumbago, Plumbago auriculata. This is how common names sometimes get us into trouble, since the true Plumbago is not hardy in cold areas, and is a much taller plant.

Not many perennials have such blue, blue flowers.