A very unusual plumbago species that we love for its clouds of sky blue flowers on long wand-like stems in autumn. A rounded bushy plant that usually starts from the base each spring. Over summer it develops into a rounded plant. By late summer long thread like wands push up to 14″ long and erupt in clusters of sky blue flowers. The display is light and flowery and it makes a fantastic compatriot with fall asters and and mums. Very easy to grow late blooming perennial from SW China. This does not spread like the much more common Ceratostigma plumbaginoides… instead it forms a distinct shrublike plant unto its own. The luminous flowers have intricately patterned petals which are conspicuous. To 22″ tall and about 1/2 as wide. Rich to average soil that is never boggy. Mulch in November in very cold gardens. Otherwise we’ve not lost it to cold. Great in autumn bouquets. The long stemmed flowers last well in a vase. A welcome color, texture, and height for the autumn garden. Even visited by hummingbirds. Leaves often turn bright red in winter following bloom. Full sun to very light shade. Light summer water- tolerates heat and drought when established. Blooms better in the autumn with deep infrequent soaks if fall rains stall.
Plant Type: Sub-shrub
Sub-shrubs are best thought of as woody perennials that can freeze to the ground in winter and regrow from the base in spring. Hardy Fuchsias and Abutilons are two examples of commonly grown sub-shrubs in our climate. The harshness of winter determines how sub-shrubs behave. In colder than normal winters (below 20ºF) they will likely freeze way back or to the ground. Mild winters may see no dieback at all. Refrain from cutting these back until you see new growth emerge- then you’ll know what to remove. Also, if an Abutilon has frozen back (and it will look awful and dead) simply water and water and water well into summer and the recovery that emerges is stunning. A little handful of all organic fertilizer in spring feeds recovery as well. For lightly tender sub-shrubs (zone 8a) and warmer it benefits these plants if they are planted deeply. Sink the crown of the plant 3″ below the soil level and mulch. This adds cold tolerance. Often slightly tender subshrubs will gain hardiness with age when treated this way.
Climate Adapted Plants for Gardeners in the PNW
Ceratostigma willmottianum ‘Palmgold’
Striking gold leaved perennial that pairs bright blue flowers for a bold effect. Blooms from late July to October on a spreading, sprawling plant. Freezes to the ground in most winters and returns from the base if in rich, well drained soil in full sun. Excellent perennial in containers. To 1′ tall by 2 wide in a season. Regular summer water. Foliage does not burn in sun. Mulch in autumn. Do not cut back until you see new growth in spring. Then remove winter killed stems. Hardier to cold in rich, very well drained soil. Often overwinters in containers. Striking perennial for contrast, brilliance. AKA Chinese Plumbago.
Ceratostigma willmottianum ‘Xera Sky’
A cool sub shrub that covers itself for months in dime sized sky blue flowers. The intensity of the color is hard to capture- it must be experienced. Forms a rounded wiry shrub with diamond shaped wavy small green leaves. To 2′ x 2′ in a season. Full sun, and rich, well drained soil with regular summer water. Freezes to the ground below about 15ºF- re-sprouts form the base in spring. Great in containers. The better the drainage the hardier this extraordinary plant will be. Provide a warm position and mulch in autumn. Once it has been established through a winter it is a fairly permanent plant. Some deer resistance. Do not cut back until you see new growth in spring- then remove all damaged stems. Great in hot sunny borders. Regular summer water.
Xera Plants Introduction
Chilean Jessamine, this is a large growing sub shrub that blooms on new wood and produces clusters of small tubular yellow flowers that pump out a heady perfume at night. Large mid green leaves line sturdy stems. Freezes to the ground in winter in the mid-teens or lower. Roars alive with warm weather and can become a shrub 5′ x 5′ even if cut to the round in one season. The flowers at terminal ends of the shoots close during the day and yawn open at night. Its a good light yellow and is a great companion for other bold plants. such as Aralia californica and cannas. Excllent in very large containers. Rich soil with regular irrigation speeds growth and bloom. Begins growing when temperatures remain in the 70’s for highs, be patient. The fragrance is fruity in a citrus kind of way and doesn’t appear until nightfall. Not bothered by deer or rabbits. Excellent plant for the back of a border. Mulch for the first winter. Chile/Argentina.
Diplacus grandiflorus
Slender Monkey Flower is the inland version of the coastal varieties. AKA Azalea flowered Monkey Flower this subshrub blooms continuously through the season with soft apricot colored tubular flower. Blooms May-August- sometimes later. Average to enriched, very well drained soil- excellent on slopes and rock gardens. To 30″ x 30″ when really happy. Loved by hummers and west coast pollinators in general. This species ranges from the coast to the Sierra Nevada in CA- this form is from colder inland areas and is easier to overwinter in our climate. Forms a semi-woody sub-shrub. Cut back the plant hard after all danger of frost has passed. Not palatable to deer. wonderful long blooming plant for low water to no water landscapes. Light summer water increasing blooming but is far from necessary. Many of the apricot flowers are pictoteed in white for an almost florist quality. Thrives in the wild following fires, disturbance. Butterfly food. West coast native- California.
Eriogonum fasciculatum
California Buckwheat is a shrubby perennial that occupies a wide variety of biomes in that state, Needle like leaves on a semi-woody subshrub. This is a common component of chaparral and beginning in late spring and carrying on virtually all summer rounded flat bloom clusters are mainly white but range to pink and even light red. For 2-3 months it is a beacon to pollinators and a prime food source for many butterflies. A very drought adapted plant that once established can thrive on no water at all. Excellent for blasting hot hell strips or large rock gardens. In habitat this subshrub is frequent between Manzanita and Ceanothus. To 2′ x 2′ slightly larger. In our climate this plant can freeze to the ground and return from the base. Best in soil that drains and goes very dry in summer. Fast drainage is important.. In autumn the flower heads remain and take on russet to pink to red tints before the spent flowers fall apart. It creates a lovely tapestry on hillsides throughout California for months. Mix with Yuccas,, Pensetmon, Manzanitas, Bupleurum. Pretty, tough wild plant. Hillsides and Hells trips. Full all day sun in a hot position.
Euphorbia stygiana
A shrubby almost woody Euphorbia with large opulent green leaves and in spring honey scented chartreuse flowers. To 6′ tall and forming a patch as wide. Very lush appearance for a plant that is actually drought adapted when established. This is an incredibly rare plant in its habitat in the Azores. About twenty plants remain in the wild and that is all. A great reason to grow this large plant. Broken leaves emit white sap. Protect from subfreezing wind – a south or west aspect is best in a sheltered position. Grows quickly with light irrigation in soil that is enriched but drains. Established plants require water just once every few weeks, Very pretty under a low window where the honey like fragrance can be enjoyed. Might be deer resistant but protect this lush shrub in the beginning. Blooms late spring and is wonderful with other bold plants for full sun . Pair with our native elk clover (Aralia californica) and hardy banana (Must basjoo). Excellent performance at the Oregon coast and lovely backed by a stone wall. Regrows from the base if established plants freeze back. Be patient, recovers in mid-spring. Wonderful garden plant.
Fuchsia ‘Alison Patricia’
We adore this incredibly floriferous and compact Fuchsia with masses of flowers that point out and up. The sepals are coral pink with a corolla approaching light violet. This little 2′ x 2′ subshrub begins blooming straight away in June and continues like a powerhouse until frost. Almost always freezes to the ground but recovers its full stature by summer. Best in full sun or even better an open north exposure or easterly aspect with protection from late afternoon heat/sun. Very showy little plant that is a ball of color. Fits well in the borders or containers. Hardy Fuchsias are easily tucked into partly shady corners, though this plant is happier with more sun. Loved by hummingbirds and gardeners a like. Fun to grow Fuchsia that puts out in a big way. Amend the soil to enrich and plant slightly deep for added winter protection. Mulch in fall if you are in a colder garden. Excellent performance in full sun at the Oregon coast.
Fuchsia ‘Campopple’
We love ultra hardy Fuchsias, they are so carefree and they bloom and bloom. We found this Fuchsia in a garden near our shop. It was identified by our friend Annie Hayes at Annie’s annuals. Large growing subshrub to 5′ x 6′ in time. Red sepals surround a deep purple corolla with each petal marked with a strip of hot pink. Lovely. Flowers are large for a hardy Fuchsia and are profuse from June to frost. Fuchsia mite resistant. Very easy to grow in light shade to full sun. Rich, well drained soil with regular summer water is ideal. Very established plants can make due with less. Freezes to the ground in the low 20’s- but not every year. Wait until new growth emerges then remove the frozen material. Loved by hummingbirds as well as gardeners. Lustrous deep green foliage outlines the pendant flowers. You’ll never lose this long lived plant to winter. Good to try where rabbits are a problem.
Fuchsia ‘Dancing Stars’
Adorable Fuchsia that is a prolific bloomer. Widely spreading diagonal stems support curtains of pendant small flowers. The sepals and floral tube are white and the corolla is violet purple. Each flower provides its own contrast but in masses they are beautiful. To 2′ x 3′ in a single season in rich, moisture retentive soil with good drainage. Regular summer water. Apply a handful of all organic fertilizer in mid-spring. Dies to the ground in the first hard freeze, resprouts from the base in mid-spring. Great container Fuchsia. Apply a thick mulch of compost for the first autumn and plant deeply for added winter protection.
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