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Blue plumbago and ʻIlieʻe: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Blue plumbago Plumbago auriculata	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE ʻIlieʻe Plumbago zeylanica
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Mozambique to South Africa	Hawaiian native range: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Hawaiʻi.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Part sun & shade
Soil moisture
Well-drained soil	Dry soil
Mature height
6–15 ft	Under 1–3 ft
Mature spread
6–8 ft	15+ ft
USDA hardiness zones
9–11	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Summer–fall flowers	Intermittent flowers
Garden & wildlife value
Wildlife relationships are not detailed in the linked profile.	Spreading native stems help hold soil while white flowers brighten a sunny edge.
Growing notes
A sprawling evergreen shrub or climber; often grown in containers in colder climates.	Much lower and more spreading than blue plumbago; give it room and water when the soil dries.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.