Griffith's Plumbago | Sky Blue Blooming Shrub

Griffith's Plumbago

1 Gallon

$19.00

$19.00 $0.00

1/3

Griffith's Plumbago

Ceratostigma griffithii

A spreading shrub with vivid late-season blue flowers and purple-edged foliage turning burgundy in fall.

$19.00

$19.00 $0.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Griffith's Plumbago is a charming, semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub prized for its late-season display of brilliant blue flowers and attractive, textured foliage. Hailing from the Himalayas, this bushy, woody sub-shrub forms a low, spreading mound of thick, dull green leaves often edged with purple-brown tones . From late summer through autumn, it produces clusters of vivid, sky blue to purplish-blue flowers that stand out beautifully against the darkening foliage . As temperatures cool, the leaves often take on rich burgundy-red hues, extending the plant's seasonal interest well into fall . Tough, adaptable, and deer-resistant, it is a versatile and low-maintenance choice for adding late color to borders, rock gardens, and slopes.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Thick-textured, dull green, oval to obovate leaves with distinctive purple-red margins and bristly hairs ; clusters of small, 5-petalled, intense sky blue to purplish-blue flowers at branch tips from late summer to autumn .
Mature Height: 1-3 ft (0.3-0.9 m) .
Mature Spread: 2-4 ft (0.6-1.2 m) .
Growth Rate: Moderate.
Hardiness Zones: USDA 6-9 (fully hardy) ; Sunset 4-24 .
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade (best flowering in sun) .
Core Benefits: Late summer-autumn bloom time, vibrant blue flowers, attractive purple-edged foliage, red fall color, drought tolerant, deer resistant, low maintenance.
Best Uses: Borders, rock gardens, slopes and banks, groundcover, cottage gardens, Mediterranean-style plantings, containers .

Q: When does Griffith's Plumbago bloom, and how long does flowering last?
A: It blooms from late summer through autumn (typically August to October), providing several weeks of vibrant blue color when many other plants are winding down for the season .

Q: How much sun does it need for the best flower display?
A: For the most abundant flowers, plant in full sun. It will tolerate partial shade but flowering may be reduced .

Q: Is it deciduous or evergreen?
A: It is described as semi-evergreen to deciduous depending on the climate . In milder winters, it may retain some foliage, but in colder zones it will drop its leaves. The attractive red fall color precedes leaf drop.

Q: How should I prune it?
A: Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Since it blooms on new wood, you can cut it back quite hard (even to the ground) to control size and encourage vigorous, flowering growth .

Q: Is it deer resistant?
A: It is generally considered deer resistant and is not favored by browsing animals . It is also largely pest-free .

Q: How cold hardy is this plant?
A: It is reliably hardy in USDA zones 6-9, tolerating temperatures down to -24°C (-11°F) when well-established . In colder parts of zone 6, it may die back to the ground in winter but reliably resprouts from the roots in spring .