Ceratostigma plumbaginoides has a number of common names: blue leadwood, dwarf plumbago, leadwort and plumbago, to name four. Whatever the vernacular name you choose to use, at this time of year this plant deserves much appreciation for its bronzy-red foliage and blue flowers (I should note that this photograph was taken in evening sunlight, hence the warm tones). For a horticultural perspective of the plant, see the Kemper Center for Home Gardening account.
On occasion, I like to make a photograph available as a desktop wallpaper, so here's the full-size version of the image for your use (warning: roughly 4 MB in size). Please remember that your use is subject to the Creative Commons License.
If you're a local, don't forget to peruse the Alpine Garden Club of BC's fall plant sale at VanDusen Garden this afternoon.
Botany resource link: Economic Botany Links, from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in Surrey, UK. A top-notch compilation of links to sites illustrating how humans use plants along with the attendant issues.
Hi, this looks like a very interesting plant-is it a shrub or ground cover? I am in DFW Texas and still haven't figured out if things that will grow up north will grow here successfully. Thanks for the info and have a great weekend! Amy
HUM.... UMA SEDA ASSIM!
I live in Indianapolis, IN and the garden designer for a local nursery specified this plant for a mass of planting area of about 10ft by 10 ft. I was very specific that I wanted something low growing (so as to not hide a limestone wall behind it) and this is what she recommended. This variety is not supposed to grow higher that 8 inches. and is supposed to be a very drought and sun tolerant plant. The area that the designer specified it for get full sun all day, is very dry because it's surrounded by a concrete walk and driveway. In my growing zone, it is supposed to be a perineal and it is supposed to be cut to the ground in the fall. It will then come up from the roots, which apparently spread in a controlled manor. Another of my perameters was that I wanted something non-invasive. I had myrtle and lambs ear in the area before and it took forever to get both to stop. So non-invasive was a must. I have purchased the plants, but have yet to plant them. The nursery where I purchase specialize plants couldn't say enough about it. Supposed to have long flowering season, really nice fall color and needs low wate/sun/heat tolerant. I'm taking the chance. If you want the low growing, be sure to get the Ceratostigma plumbaginoides variety. It's max height is supposed to be 8 inches at the highest. Most other varieties are much more aggressive, taller and harder to control in the garden. I've seen some negative comments on the web searches...so if you want the low variety, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides is what you want.