Care of the shrub Ceratostigma willmottianum or Chinese plumbago |
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The genus Ceratostigma, family Caryophyllaceae, comprises 8 species of herbaceous plants and shrubs native to Africa and Asia. Some species are: Ceratostigma willmottianum, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, Ceratostigma abyssinicum. Common name: Chinese plumbago. This species is native to China and Tibet. They are deciduous shrubs of widespread bearing that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height. The elliptic light green leaves turn red in autumn. Produces attractive blue flowers with 5 petals. They bloom in the fall. They are used on edges, in flowerbeds, on slopes, in rockeries and as isolated specimens. They are not recommended for coastal gardens. Ceratostigma willmottianum grows in full sun and partial shade exposures. They resist frost well. The soil can be normal, well-drained garden soil with coarse sand; they also grow in stony, sandy or limestone soils. Water regularly waiting for the substrate to almost dry completely. They resist several days of drought. Fertilize with a little compost at the end of winter. Prune dead branches from the base in late winter. They are quite resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases. They are propagated from seed sown in spring and by semi-ripe cuttings in late spring or mid-summer. |
Images of the shrub Ceratostigma willmottianum or Chinese plumbago |
 Ceratostigma willmottianum  Ceratostigma willmottianum  Ceratostigma willmottianum |