{"product_id":"grace-ward-lithodora-lithodora-diffusa-grace-ward","title":"Grace Ward Lithodora - Lithodora diffusa 'Grace Ward'","description":"\u003cp\u003eGrace Ward Lithodora (\u003cem\u003eLithodora diffusa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Grace Ward') is a mounded groundcover from the Mediterranean, growing 20 to 30cm tall and about 60cm wide. Slender, rosemary like leaves carry intense blue flowers in spring, a colour that is rare in the garden. It suits rockeries, pots, baskets and the front of sunny, free draining beds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrue, deep blue flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e The spring flowers are an intense blue that few garden plants can match.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough once mature.\u003c\/strong\u003e It handles heat, drought and light frost, so it suits sunny, exposed edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow and mounded.\u003c\/strong\u003e A neat mound 20 to 30cm high spreads to about 60cm, covering ground without climbing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade for stony ground.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows on rocky limestone in the wild, so poor, stony soils suit it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePot and basket friendly.\u003c\/strong\u003e Containers solve the drainage problem where garden soil is heavy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and wall tops.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tuck it into pockets between rocks, where the sharp drainage keeps the roots happy and the mound spreads over the stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroundcover and bed fronts.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 50cm apart. At that spacing the mounds meet at maturity and cover the soil in a blue spring display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and baskets.\u003c\/strong\u003e A container of free draining mix in full sun lets you grow it where garden soil holds too much water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Grace Ward Lithodora in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun. It tolerates light frost and drought once mature, and is happiest in cool temperate, warm temperate, Mediterranean and dry inland gardens. In humid subtropical districts, wet summers are its weak point, so plant it where air moves freely or keep it in a pot of gritty mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free drainage is the one real requirement. Poor, stony and sandy ground suits it. Where garden soil is heavy, grow it in a container.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch after planting to hold moisture and steady soil temperature, and water regularly until it is established. Apply a native slow release fertiliser in spring to keep it healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e No hard pruning is needed. Trim lightly after flowering to keep the mound neat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Grace Ward Lithodora as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes cover a rockery or border economically, while the 140mm pots arrive larger and give a quicker mound. Plant out soon after delivery in a sunny spot, mulch, and water regularly until it settles.\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\/rockery-plants\"\u003eBrowse rockery plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/groundcover\"\u003eMore groundcover plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003eDrought tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/border-brilliance-low-growing-plant-ideas\"\u003eLow growing plants for garden edges\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the flower really blue?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. In spring it produces an intense, deep blue that is rare in garden plants and stands out against the green leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in humid areas?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt prefers sun and sharp drainage. Humid, wet summers are harder on it, so use a raised bed or a pot and choose an airy position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far will it spread?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo about 60cm wide and 20 to 30cm high. Plant 50cm apart to cover ground, or give each plant its own pot.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787266228543,"sku":"LIT-DIF-GRACEW-tube","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67787266326847,"sku":"LIT-DIF-GRACEW-140MM-P10","price":188.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/grace-ward-lithodora-lithodora-diffusa-grace-ward.jpg?v=1792154880","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/grace-ward-lithodora-lithodora-diffusa-grace-ward","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}