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ID and renovation advice please

Steph HenshawSteph Henshaw Posts: 21
in Plants

image

 all I've got is a couple of gangly stems, but this is really pretty, and I would like to keep it. Any ideas v welcomeimage

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Posts

  • gardeninglily1gardeninglily1 Posts: 424

    I think that is plumbagoimage

  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,527

    I have this and I love it! image

    It is Ceratostigma willmottianum.It is in flower now.I leave all the stems on over the winter and then cut down to around 2"-3" in about April or so.It is one of my favourite garden shrubs and grows abot 3' high and wide.

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • Steph HenshawSteph Henshaw Posts: 21

    Thank you all!!! Clearly ten minutes is all it takes round here image

    will it be ok to prune hard after flowers or be more gentle as is spindly? 

  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,527

    I always do mine in spring just when it starts to shoot out.I have had mine for 13 years and every year it is cut right down almost to the ground sometimes.

    This year it is doing extremley well.

    It is one of those shrubs that is just a steady 'doer' and never seems to be prone to disease or pests and in my garden stands up to the wind!

    This year I have noticed some seedlings around the garden so must like it here.

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,299

    You could try collecting seed too. I've not done it myself, but one I used to have would self seed quite happily, and the seeds were numerous and easy to gather. I'm planning to beg some from a neighbour when the flowers are over.

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,354

    The Hummingbird Hawkmoth like this oneimage



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    I have one, but I was told in a nursery that it is not really Plumbago, though it is known as 'Poor Man's Plumbago'. It was given to me as Plumbagoimage

  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,299

    As far as I remember (I'm sure more knowledgeable people will be able to correct me if I'm wrong), 'real' plumbago is tender. Quite a different plant,  but with similar looking flowers. This is ceratostigma willmottianum, but commonly known as 'hardy plumbago', even though it's not plumbago at all. A bit like pelargoniums being commonly known as geraniums when they're not.

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,354

    I've never called it plumbago. image



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,735

    common name issues again eh?image

    Devon.
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