Ceratostigma 'Blue Leadwort'

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides: Blue Leadwort’s Fiery-Frost Finale

A true treasure of the late-season garden, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides—commonly known as blue leadwort—delivers brilliant cobalt-blue flowers from late summer into autumn, just as many perennials begin to fade. Its low, spreading habit and glossy green foliage create a dense mat through the growing season, but as nights cool, its leaves turn a vivid scarlet-red—providing a striking contrast to the intense blue blooms. Perfect for shoulder-season interest, this drought-tolerant perennial thrives in sun or light shade and rewards gardeners with lasting colour and texture.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 20–30 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm, spreading gradually by underground rhizomes
• Flower Colour: Bright cobalt blue
• Flowering Period: Late summer to frost
• Foliage: Glossy green turning vibrant red in autumn; ovate and slightly leathery
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, average to dry soil; adaptable and drought-tolerant

Uses and Benefits: Ceratostigma plumbaginoides is an outstanding groundcover for late-season interest, offering bold contrast and rich colour when the garden begins to wind down. It performs beautifully in borders, rock gardens, or under shrubs, and is especially effective when allowed to spill over stone walls or along garden edges. Its tolerance of dry soils and part shade make it highly versatile in urban and low-maintenance landscapes.

Companion Plants: Combine with the rich purple foliage of Heuchera 'Plum Pudding', the rosy flower heads of Sedum 'Autumn Joy', and the cascading golden blades of Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' for a fall-focused composition with lush texture and glowing colour.

Care Instructions: Plant in well-drained soil with full sun or part shade. Water during dry periods in its first season; once established, it’s drought-tolerant. Cut back dead stems in early spring before new growth emerges. Divide clumps every 3–4 years to manage spread and refresh vigour.

History: Native to western China, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides was introduced to European gardens in the 19th century and has since become a favourite for its reliable late-season bloom and fiery fall foliage. Its common name, blue leadwort, references the intense blue pigment of its flowers.

Final Thoughts: With electric-blue flowers and autumn fire in its leaves, Ceratostigma 'Blue Leadwort' delivers a stunning seasonal shift—proving that some of the garden’s brightest moments come just before frost.