Ceratostigma plumbaginoides

Quick to spread and showstoppingly beautiful in autumn, this shade-loving perennial belongs in every garden seeking multiseason appeal. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, Blue Plumbago, has bright blue blooms and rich burgundy-red fall foliage that are simply too brilliant to miss.

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, Blue Plumbago, is a late bloomer in two ways: first, it emerges late in spring, leafing out long after most other plants are underway; and second, it literally begins flowering late in the season. The first blooms will open in late summer in most climates, becoming more profuse as the temperature falls with the arrival of autumn. Soon they are joined by mahogany accents as the rich green leaves of this perennial turn deep shades of red for fall.

This is a gently spreading, low-growing perennial, never pushy or invasive, yet managing to fill in empty space nicely and always look full and fresh. Just 8 to 12 inches high, it reaches 12 to 18 inches wide, and is very easy to care for. Temperature extremes, poor soil, and even drought do not bother it: all Blue Plumbago really asks is good soil drainage and a bit of shade.

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, Blue Plumbago, makes a fine groundcover, edging, woodland garden standout, and accent in the perennial or shrub border. It pairs well with fall-blooming plants, and is a good succession planting to many summer perennials. Give it a try this season, and we predict you will be back for more plants next year. Such rich, gentle beauty is hard to find in the garden—and such low maintenance is highly prized.

• Butterflies like a lot of sunlight, so locate your garden in a sunny area.
• If you live in a windy location, plant your butterfly-attracting plants near a building, fence, or hedge to protect them.
• Plant a variety of nectar-rich plants, as well as shrubs and evergreens for shelter.
• Since many butterflies and native flowering plants have co-evolved, try to put in some that are native to your area. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center provides lists of plants native to states and regions.
• Certain colors are particularly attracting to butterflies – red, yellow, pink, purple, or orange blooms that are clustered or flat-topped, with a short flower tubes are especially attractive to adult butterflies.
• Avoid using pesticides, especially around nectar-producing plants.
• Provide a shallow source of water – try a birdbath with pebbles lining the bowl.
• Place a rock in a sunny spot for butterfly basking and resting.
• Create a "puddling area" by digging a shallow hole filled with compost or manure where rainwater will collect and release essential salts and minerals.
• If you want butterflies to breed in your garden, put in some caterpillar food plants, such as parsley, milkweeds, asters, thistles, violets, clover, grasses, and Queen Anne’s Lace.
• Since butterflies need nectar throughout the entire adult phase of their lives, try to create a design that will allow for a continuous bloom – when one stops blooming, another starts.

As the deer population has boomed and food has become scarcer, they have become more aggressive. In some areas deer will strip your garden bare, leaving nothing green or flowery behind. While there is no such thing as a completely deer-proof garden, there are some effective things you can do to protect your garden from these hungry animals.

Use physical barriers

A High Fence
Deer can jump pretty high, but a fence higher than eight feet (higher on an up-slope) and flush with the ground will keep any deer out.

Electric Fences
They are a much easier and less expensive solution. Deer generally will not try to jump electric fences, but will rather try to climb through the wires, receiving a deterring shock.

Bird-Netting
An even less extreme physical option is to put bird netting over your larger and more susceptible plants.

Plant Deer-resistant Varieties

Herbs, some conifers, and many flowers are some of the best deer-resistant plants. More fragrant plants will often deter predation. Planting just a few deer-resistant plants will limit grazing of your other plants. Remember, "deer-resistant" does not mean deer-proof. A hungry animal will eat just about anything.

Having a dog In the Family

Owning a dog, especially a big dog will almost always keep deer from approaching your home. Just the scent of the dog will keep most deer away, and if your dog lives outside you will probably never see any deer.

For most gardeners, it is a combination of different solutions that works best. Every gardener has to find the solution that works best in their garden.

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