{"product_id":"plumbago-auriculata-royal-cape","title":"Plumbago Auriculata 'Royal Cape'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoyal Cape Plumbago \/ Cape Plumbago \/ Cape Leadwort\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePlumbago auriculata \u003c\/em\u003e'Royal Cape'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plumbaginaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e South Africa\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA long-flowering, water-wise shrub for Adelaide and South Australian gardens, famed for its deep royal-blue flower clusters from spring well into autumn. ‘Royal Cape’ forms a soft, arching mound that can be trained on a trellis, used as a loose hedge, or allowed to spill over walls and banks. Tough in heat and coastal conditions, it’s low-maintenance and great for pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5–3 m H × 1.5–2.5 m W (can be kept smaller with pruning)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30-50 cm per year under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft mid-green leaves; fresh lime tints on new growth; light bronzing in cold snaps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich royal-blue clusters spring–autumn (peak in warm months); remove spent heads to extend bloom\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Months of vivid blue flowers on a relaxed, evergreen framework; subtle bronze foliage tints in cool weather keep interest year-round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies; Good for Pollinators\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-Tolerant (once established), Heat-Tolerant, Coastal-Tolerant, Wind-Tolerant; Light frost tolerant; Clay-Tolerant if well-drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shrub borders: 1 plant per 1.0 m (dense) or 1 per 1.5 m (looser). Fence\/trellis: 1–1.5 m apart\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Toxic (mild). Sap can irritate skin; ingestion may cause drooling\/vomiting\/diarrhoea in pets. Best planted where pets won’t chew it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight: \u003c\/strong\u003eFull sun to part shade (best flowering in full sun)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay; avoid waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light trim through summer to shape and promote repeat bloom; hard prune in late winter if rejuvenation needed; mulch in spring; balanced feed in early spring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15-25 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suited to temperate \u0026amp; Mediterranean SA, including coastal Adelaide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acid, Neutral, Alkaline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoastal\/heat-smart border: pair with westringia, rosemary and lomandra for a tough, blue-accent palette\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpilling over walls \u0026amp; banks for a relaxed Mediterranean look and erosion control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrellised screen or loose hedge where a soft, flowering barrier is preferred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Royal Cape’ brings reliable, ultra-long blue flowering with minimal fuss—perfect for South Australian heat and coastal sites. It’s versatile, forgiving and pollinator-friendly, adding vibrant colour from spring to late autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":47355958362364,"sku":"PLUM-AURI-ROYA-CAPE-140MM","price":14.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/plumbago-auriculata-royal-cape-leadwort-140mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.png?v=1767692895","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/plumbago-auriculata-royal-cape","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}