Light
Full sun to part shade. More sun means more flowers and better fall color.
Growing guide · Perennials
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
How to grow Leadwort.
Blue flowers, red leaves, same week.
- Light
- Full sun, part sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Zones
- 5–9
- Size
- 9–12 in. tall, 12–18 in. wide and spreading
- Spacing
- 12–18 in. apart. It spreads steadily by underground stems.
- Pets
- Not pet-safe; keep out of reach
Water
Water weekly the first summer. Once established it tolerates dry spells.
Planting and soil
Plant in spring or early fall in average, well-drained soil.
Feeding
None needed.
Pruning
Cut old stems to the ground in late winter or early spring.
Through the year
Emerges in late spring. Blue flowers August through October. Red fall color, then dormant.
If something's off
Wet winter soil causes rot. It will creep into neighbors, so edge it or give it a space you want filled.
Plays well with
Plant it with friends.
A groundcover with two seasons.
A low, spreading mat that turns out deep gentian-blue flowers from late summer into fall. As the nights cool the leaves go bronze-red while it's still blooming, so you get blue and red at once.
Why we stock it: Late color and fall foliage from a groundcover that handles sun or part shade.
Leadwort, Gallonfrom $21.99 · Arrives alive, or we replace it
Leadwort, Gallonfrom $21.99 · Arrives alive, or we replace it