About
Ceratostigma willmottianum Forest Blue ('Lice') is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 60 cm in height. It features lance-shaped foliage that transitions to red hues in the autumn. From late summer into autumn, this plant produces clusters of small, rich blue flowers, measuring about 2 cm across, reminiscent of plumbago blooms.
About the genus
Ceratostigma encompasses both evergreen and deciduous shrubs, as well as herbaceous perennials. The plants feature simple leaves that typically display vibrant autumn colors. In late summer and autumn, they produce short spikes of salver-shaped blue flowers that can emerge from the ends of branches or the leaf axils.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade
- Pruning
- Pruning group 10
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and powdery mildews