The Well-Tended Perennial Garden The Essential Guide to Planting and Pruning Techniques, Third Edition

Ceratostigma

plumbaginoides

plumbago

plumbaginaceae

Small blue flowers; small green leaves

8–12 in. high; 12–18 in. wide

Full sun–part shade

Blooms August–September

Zones 5–9

pruning The only pruning that this

plant requires is cutting dead stems to

the ground once new growth is visible

in the spring. Plants are late to emerge,

sometimes not until early June in

central Ohio, so leaving the bare stems

and seedheads over the winter and

into spring marks their spot in the

garden and avoids chance of

disturbance.

other maintenance Plants

perform best with morning sun and

afternoon shade. Well-draining soil is

essential; it is tolerant of short periods

of drought. Rhizomes can be invasive,

making the plant suitable as a

groundcover. In a mixed planting it

will overtake low-growing perennials

in its path, including Coreopsis

verticillata ‘Moonbeam’. Doesn’t

compete with tree roots. Usually

considered a zone 6 plant, but it

survives well in zone 5 with a light

mulch or in a semi-protected area.

Divide in spring as needed to keep in

bounds.

Chelone lyonii

pink turtlehead

plantaginaceae

Pink turtle-shaped flowers; thick green

leaves

3 ft. high; 2 ft. wide

Full sun or part shade

Blooms August–September

Zones 3–8

pruning Plants can be deadheaded if

desired, but the seedheads are

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides