Hardy Plumbago

This versatile, woody-based perennial is a late-summer star in UK gardens, offering both brilliant flowers and spectacular autumn foliage. It has a spreading, rhizomatous habit that forms a low, dense carpet of mid-green leaves. From late August well into October, it produces clusters of intense, cobalt-blue, five-petalled flowers that are exceptionally vivid. As the temperatures drop in autumn, the leaves take on a dramatic transition, turning a deep, bronzy-red and fiery crimson, which makes a stunning contrast against the remaining blue flowers. It is fully hardy, though it may start its growth later in the spring than other plants. It performs best in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil, though it can tolerate partial shade. It is an excellent choice for a sunny border, a rock garden, or even for underplanting between larger, late-flowering shrubs. After the foliage has died back in winter, it can be cut down to ground level.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Any well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: Aug, Sep, Oct.