{"product_id":"dark-blue-plumbago-plumbago-auriculata-dark-blue","title":"Dark Blue Plumbago - Plumbago auriculata 'Dark Blue'","description":"\u003cp\u003eDark Blue Plumbago (\u003cem\u003ePlumbago auriculata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Dark Blue') is an evergreen shrub with deep blue flowers on glossy green foliage from spring to summer. It grows 2 to 3m high and about 2m wide, and adapts to hedging, wall training and free-form planting. The richer colour sets it apart from the standard blue plumbago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA deep, saturated blue.\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowers are darker and richer than the standard blue, so they hold their own against pale walls and silver foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible in habit.\u003c\/strong\u003e Clip it as a formal hedge, espalier it against a wall, train it as a rambler or shape it as a topiary bush.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers from spring to summer.\u003c\/strong\u003e Clusters appear in abundance, and trimming after flowering encourages new growth and a fresh display.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun and heat suit it.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun gives the best flowering, and the plant is drought tolerant once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEvergreen glossy leaves.\u003c\/strong\u003e The foliage keeps a hedge or wall plant full all year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEspaliered on a wall or fence.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart along the base and tie the stems to wires. The deep blue stands out against rendered walls and pale paint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormal flowering hedges.\u003c\/strong\u003e Clip to a shape after each flush. The plants form a solid hedge at the height you clip them to, with blue flowers across the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePergolas, arches and fences.\u003c\/strong\u003e Let it ramble up supports, where it needs very little attention beyond an annual tidy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Dark Blue Plumbago in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun. Subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens all suit it. Frost is its weakness, so in cold districts plant it in a sheltered spot such as against a warm wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Give it drained, humus-rich ground. Wet feet do not suit it, so avoid low spots and heavy clay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water generously and mulch while it establishes. After that dry spells are no trouble. Feed twice a year with a controlled release product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut back after the flower flush for fresh growth and another round of blooms. The sap and sticky flower parts can irritate sensitive skin, so wear gloves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Dark Blue Plumbago as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small, leafy plant, and flowering starts as it grows on. Plant it out soon after delivery, water it in and mulch the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hedging-screening\"\u003eHedging and screening plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/fast-growing-hedges-ideal-picks-for-aussie-gardens\"\u003eFast growing hedges for Aussie gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/climbers\"\u003eClimbers for walls and pergolas\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003eMore drought tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow is Dark Blue different from the standard blue?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flowers are a deeper, richer blue. Growth, size and care are the same, so it suits the same hedges, walls and sunny spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need frost protection?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Plumbago is not suited to hard frost. In cold districts plant it against a warm, sheltered wall, and expect tips to burn in the worst weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat soil does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFree draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Wet, heavy ground causes problems, so build up the bed if you have clay.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789622051135,"sku":"PLU-AUR-DARKBL-tube","price":11.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/dark-blue-plumbago-plumbago-auriculata-dark-blue.jpg?v=1792191394","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/dark-blue-plumbago-plumbago-auriculata-dark-blue","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}