Ceratostigma is a genus of flowering plants in family Plumbaginaceae, comprising eight species. It is native to warm temperate to tropical regions of Africa and Asia. It shares the common name Leadwort and Plumbago with the genus Plumbago.
Ceratostigma is a deciduous or evergreen perennial or subshrub growing to 0.3 - 1 m tall. It has leaves that are spirally arranged, simple and with a hairy margin. The flowers of pale to dark blue to red-purple are produced in a compact inflorescence in late summer and early autumn. The fruit is a small bristly capsule containing a single seed.
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, 45 x 30 cm, is a compact, red stemmed, hardy, wood-based perennial with an upright habit. It is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens for its clusters of blue flowers which bloom in late summer. Its wavy-edged leaves turn into bright red in autumn.
Ceratostigma willmottianum, 1 x 1.5 m, is a deciduous shrub growing for its pale blue flowers which are borne in late summer to early autumn. It has attractive purple-edged leaves which turn red in autumn. This plant grows best in a sheltered , sunny position.
Ceratostigma grows well in sun, in moisture-retentive and well-drained soil. Propagation is by softwood cuttings in spring; semi-ripe cuttings in summer; layer in autumn. Mildew is a fungal disease which attacks the plant.
Blue Leadwood (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ceratostigma_plumbaginoides_-_blossom_top_%28aka%29.jpg Aka
Blue Leadwood (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ceratostigma_plumbaginoides_-_blossom_side_%28aka%29.jpg Aka
Blue Leadwood (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ceratostigma_plumbaginoides_-_plants_%28aka%29.jpg Aka
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ceratostigma_plumbaginoides_-_blossom_top_%28aka%29.jpg
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