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Physical description: Blue leadwood is a wiry, mat-forming herbaceous
perennial that grows 8-12 inches tall and spreads 12 - 18 inches
wide. It has obovate, leathery, medium green foliage, with bronze
tinge in autumn. Cluster of 5-petaled, star-shaped deep blue
flowers bloom above the foliage on short stems from mid-summer
to early fall. The flowers are about 0.5 to 0.75 inches in diameter,
and are borne in small dense terminal clusters. Flowers of Blue
leadwood resemble those of woodland phlox.
Optimal growing conditions: Blue leadwood is the happiest in rich, well-drained,
acidic soil under full sun. This plant grows well in most soil
conditions, but does not tolerate wet, poorly-drained soil. Blue
leadwood prefers full sun unless in hot summer afternoons.
Susceptibility to pests and diseases:
This plant has no serious pest
or disease problems. It is mildly invasive.
Use: Blue
leadwood serves well as perennial borer or shrub border, as groundcover
for rock gardens, or as an edger.
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