Plumbago Auriculata Blue

A beloved South African shrub that bursts into cascades of sky-blue flowers, bringing effortless charm to gardens and landscapes. Known as Cape Leadwort, this vigorous grower thrives in Cape Town’s warm climate, rewarding gardeners with a near-continuous display of blooms. Expect flowering from October through May, with peak flushes in spring and summer, and delightful reblooms into autumn. Its sprawling habit makes it perfect for hedges, trellises, or as a soft filler in mixed borders.

Why You’ll Love It

• Masses of soft blue flowers that brighten gardens for months.
• Long flowering season, October to May in the Western Cape.
• Fast-growing and versatile, ideal for hedges, screens, or groundcover.
• Attracts butterflies and pollinators, adding life to your garden.
• Hardy and resilient, tolerating drought once established.
• Easy to prune and shape for neat hedges or informal cascades.
• Indigenous to South Africa, perfectly adapted to local conditions.
• Provides a cooling, calming colour palette in hot summers.
• Excellent companion for white or pink flowering shrubs.

Planting & Care

Plant in full sun for the best flowering, though it tolerates light semi-shade. Use well-drained soil enriched with compost. Water regularly during establishment, then reduce once mature — Plumbago is water-wise. Prune after flowering flushes to encourage new growth and maintain shape. Feed lightly in spring to boost blooms.

Did You Know?

Plumbago’s sticky flower calyxes can cling to clothing. A natural “Velcro” that inspired its Afrikaans name “Blou Plakkie”.