White Cape Plumbago

Plant Type: shrub
Plant Height: 3-6 feet
Spread: 3-6 feet
Flower Color: white
Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Shade

White Cape Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata ‘Alba’) – A Serene, Long-Blooming Shrub Perfect for Arizona Gardens

White Cape Plumbago, a variant of the popular Blue Cape Plumbago, brings an elegant touch to Phoenix Valley landscapes with its clusters of pure white flowers and lush green foliage. Native to South Africa, this perennial shrub offers a soft, sophisticated color palette while attracting butterflies and other pollinators, making it an exceptional choice for low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly gardens.

Key Features of White Cape Plumbago

Growing 3 to 10 feet tall and spreading similarly wide, White Cape Plumbago boasts a sprawling, semi-woody growth habit. Its soft white flowers bloom abundantly from early summer through fall, providing a long-lasting, delicate display of color against its light green foliage. With its extended bloom time, White Cape Plumbago brings a touch of serenity to landscapes while adding movement and life as butterflies visit its flowers.

White Cape Plumbago thrives in full sun to partial shade, adapting well to the Phoenix Valley climate. Once established, it becomes drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for water-wise gardens. It performs best in well-drained soil and benefits from occasional pruning, which helps to control its shape and encourage fuller growth and more prolific flowering.

Versatile Uses for White Cape Plumbago in Phoenix Valley Landscaping

• Ground Cover or Border Planting: With its sprawling habit, White Cape Plumbago serves well as a ground cover or in borders, providing season-long color.

• Foundation Planting or Shrub Borders: Its soft, white flowers and adaptable size make it ideal for foundational plantings or mixed shrub borders.

• Container Gardens and Trellises: When planted in large containers, White Cape Plumbago adds graceful, cascading blooms, and on trellises or fences, it can be trained to climb, adding vertical interest to garden spaces.

• Pollinator Gardens: The continuous blooms attract butterflies, enhancing garden biodiversity.

Care Tips for Growing White Cape Plumbago in Phoenix Valley

Plant White Cape Plumbago in a sunny location with well-draining soil to ensure optimal growth and flowering. Regular watering is beneficial during the establishment phase, especially in Arizona’s heat. Afterward, the plant requires minimal supplemental watering, thriving in drought conditions. Light pruning after flowering promotes denser growth and encourages more blooms.

Why White Cape Plumbago is Ideal for Arizona Gardens

White Cape Plumbago’s drought tolerance, ease of care, and extended blooming period make it a perfect choice for Phoenix Valley gardens. Its pure white flowers and adaptable nature offer a serene and elegant touch to any garden, while its ability to attract pollinators adds ecological value. Whether used as ground cover, in containers, or trained to climb, White Cape Plumbago adds effortless beauty to water-conscious landscapes.

Three Timbers Installation Guide (Feel Free to Follow): White Cape Plumbago

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun to partial shade (at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight for optimal growth and vibrant blooms)
• Soil: Well-drained, loamy or sandy soil (slightly acidic to neutral soil preferred)
• Spacing: Space plants 3-4 feet apart for optimal growth and air circulation
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface
• Support: White Cape Plumbago is a sprawling, bushy shrub that does not require staking, although it can spread to form a dense, flowering ground cover

Watering Guide:

Watering After Planting:

• Initial Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil
• Frequency: Water every 4-5 days for the first 2-3 weeks to help establish the root system
• Watering Amount: Provide 2-3 inches of water per session for deep watering

When is the Plant Established?

• Timeframe: White Cape Plumbago is considered established after 3-4 months when the roots have spread into the surrounding soil

Watering Once Established:

• Summer: Water every 7-10 days during the hotter months. If temperatures exceed 100°F, increase watering to every 5-7 days. Provide 2-3 inches of water per session.
• Winter: Water every 3-4 weeks during the cooler months, depending on rainfall.

Drip Irrigation Setup:

• Placement of Emitters: Place the drip emitters 12-18 inches away from the base of the plant for even watering
• Flow Rate: Use emitters with a flow rate of 1-2 gallons per hour
• Number of Emitters: 1 emitter per plant for even watering distribution
• Adjusting Frequency: In summer, increase watering frequency to every 5-7 days. In winter, reduce to every 3-4 weeks