How far apart should I plant Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort)?

About 80 cm (31 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft).

Does Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort) need full sun?

Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort) need?

Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.

How cold-hardy is Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort)?

It tolerates about -18 °C (0 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.

When does Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort) flower?

From about July for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort) poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.

What grows well with Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort)?

There is no well-documented companion pairing for Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).

Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort) Ceratostigma willmottianum

Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort) (Ceratostigma willmottianum) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Plumbaginaceae family, native to South-west China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Gansu) and Tibet. It grows 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) tall and 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -18 °C (0 °F). Space plants about 80 cm (31 in) apart.

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Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort) at a glance

Type	Perennial shrub, deciduous
Family	Plumbaginaceae
Mature height	60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft)
Mature spread	80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft)
Spacing	80 cm (31 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
Water	Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none
Soil pH	5.5–8
Cold hardiness	About -18 °C (0 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6)
Heat stress	Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F)
Flowering	from about July for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	High
Edible	Not grown as food
Native to	South-west China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Gansu) and Tibet
Common in gardens of	🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇩🇪 Germany

Is Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort) toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Not known to be poisonous.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort)

No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.

Questions about Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort)

How far apart should I plant Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort)?: About 80 cm (31 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft).
Does Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort) need full sun?: Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort) need?: Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
How cold-hardy is Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort)?: It tolerates about -18 °C (0 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
When does Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort) flower?: From about July for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort) poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
What grows well with Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort)?: There is no well-documented companion pairing for Chinese plumbago (Willmott’s blue leadwort). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).

Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society

Notes and assumptions

A small twiggy shrub with clear gentian-blue flowers from late summer into autumn, while the leaves turn red. Raised from Ernest Wilson’s 1908 seed by Ellen Willmott at Warley Place, where only two seedlings came up; it is named after her. Cut it back in spring.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

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