Chinese Plumbago
Ceratostigma willmottianum
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Ceratostigma willmottianum, the Chinese plumbago, is a small deciduous subshrub grown for one of the truest blues in the garden. From midsummer into autumn the wiry, bristly-leaved stems carry clusters of intense cobalt-blue flowers, each a slim reddish-purple tube opening to five pale-blue lobes, and as the season cools the foliage turns a rich red and bronze, so that blue flower and crimson leaf often share the plant at once.
The species hails from western China and bears the name of Ellen Ann Willmott (1860 to 1934), the formidable English plantswoman whose garden at Warley Place ran to thousands of species and whose name is scattered through the plant world. Easy and long-blooming, the Chinese plumbago wants a sunny or lightly shaded spot, well-drained soil, and good air movement, and dies back in cold winters to return from the base, blooming on new growth. A jewel for the front of a border, a low wall, or a gravel garden.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 7–9
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 18–24 Inches · Spread 15–24 Inches
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Seasonality
- Dies back, depends on zone
reddish-purple tube with pale blue lobes, summer through autumn
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.