Plumbago Auriculata – Phlox like Flowers

Woody tropical semiclimbers for the cool greenhouse or sunny window in winter, all kinds of container gardens in summer, and year-round gardens where there is no frost.

Rooting new cuttings at intervals will provide riotously flowering potted plants all year. The foliage is clean, neat, and attractive; and the phlox-like flowers are available in a selection of colors.

These are sprawly, scraggly plants that will heap themselves into a hedge-like mound in tropical gardens unless they are pruned and trained to shape. Indoors and in the greenhouse they should be cut back to a reasonable size. Since flowers are produced at the tip of new growth, pruning is done before spring for summer display, in early fall for winter bloom.

Cultural requirements include:

• Moderately cool temperatures in winter (50-65 degrees)
• Above-average humidity
• Any good but not overly rich soil mixture
• All but the hottest summer sun for full flowering
• Only moderate moisture

Fertilize regularly for a strong root system and full flower heads. Propagate by cuttings of nearly ripe wood in spring or fall, by root division of old plants, and by seeds.

Indoors or in the greenhouse it is particularly important to tie, train, and prune the vine to keep it in shape and suitable size. Set plants outdoors for the summer, for continued bloom.

In the fall, cut them back severely, top-dress with fresh soil or repot, according to need, and store the plants fairly cool and dry until days begin to lengthen in earliest spring. Then, raise the temperature and force spring flowers in full sun.

In tropical gardens, take your choice – train and prune each spring, or let the stems wander in their own way.

Plumbago auriculata – Best-known species, with two-inch fresh green leaves and deep sky-blue flowers; refreshing when combined with the white-flowering variety, alba.

Plumbago indica coccinea – Larger leaves and flowers of deep coral or carmine.

Family: Plumbaginaceae
Common Name: Leadwort

Acantholimon – Part of the Plumbago Family

Acantholimon (ak-an-thol’-imon) – A genus of hardy, evergreen perennials of the Plumbago Family, known as Prickly-thrift, who calls the European and Asiatic areas home. They are similar except that the leaves are much stiffer and sharp-pointed. The flowers are rose or white in tightly compressed heads or clusters. Excellent for the sunny rock garden, plants may be propagated by cuttings or layering.

Acantholimon venustum grows 8 in. high and the prickly leaves have a marked bloom. The flowers are rose or purple in racemes. It blooms from July to September when flowers are needed in the rock garden.

Related Articles Of Interest:

• Tropical Plants and Gardens in Un-Tropical Climates
• Rooting Lantana Cuttings
• Clematis Vines, Plants, Flowers – Questions Answers
• Stephanotis – Trellis Plant, Fragrant Tubular White Flower Clusters