Can you help me ID this flower? It was in the Chianti Region of Italy and was in full bloom in early October. Very profuse flowers. Purple Flower ( photo / image / picture from travellerman's Garden )
Welcome to GardenStew. I believe it's a Plumbago.... Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (Blue Leadwort, Dwarf Plumbago) Plumbago auriculata (Cape Leadwort)
Toni is right, that looks like Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, but the common name I know it by is Blue Leadwort. I grow a few of them and they bloom mid to late fall. Leadwort does good in Southern California, grows in partial shade, and doesn't mind drought too much, so I would guess it would grow well in Italy as well. Most of the year it is unimpressive, but when fall rolls around, it begins to look beautiful, especially when everything else is starting to look pretty sad.
travellerman, I love that flower. Thanks for showing, and asking, about it. I will make sure I find it next Spring. Oh and welcome to the wonderful world of Stewers. :-D :-D :-D
Barb, I just ran across seed in my commercial catalog for plumbago, but the growing zone is 8-11, BUT I did have it growing here for a while. We accidentally ripped it out one winter during a construction project and I never replaced it. Do be aware all parts of the plant are poisonous, too.
I use this plant in designs a lot. It is hardy here in zone 5. I love the blue of these blooms. (I am going to have to wait several months to see them again) It is great when planted en mass!
