Celestina, climbing plant with blue flowers

La matchstick It is a very striking plant due to the color of its flowers. But although it is usually known by the name of matchmaker, it has many synonyms by which it is known. The Latin name of the most common species is plumbago auriculata, a rather rare or not pretty name for the appearance of this perennial plant.

You can call it by whatever name you want, but it is possible that if when looking for the plant on the internet by any of these names, you will most likely find the plant whose flowers are red or white. Do not worry, then you will know them.

Origin of the Celestina plant

For sure we cannot tell you exactly what the origin of the matchstick or jasmine azul. The reason is simple, since everything depends on the type of Celestina that is being spoken, such as:

plumbago auriculata

This species has its origin in the South African continent. Of all the subspecies that belong to the matchmaker, this is the one that is sold the most in the world, since it is very easy to cultivate it.

plumbago rosea

Unlike the previous one, the origin of this matchstick belongs to the Asian continent. So its natural habitat is there. The main strength of this plant is its flowering.

But the color of its flowers, makes it worth having in any garden. Both its flowers and its leaves are different from the previous one. Well, it has a red flower and its leaves are less long and tend to have an oval shape.

European plumbago

Don't be confused by its name, as this plant can be found practically anywhere that is dry, that is open and above all, in vacant lots. Besides being known as European plumbago, It is also called belesa or dentelaria.

Features

The matchmaker is a climbing plant pretty and eye-catching because it's one of those plants that spreads quickly, but unlike others of its kind, it is distinguished by its small light blue flowers that, in the flowering season, form an intense mantle that is pleasing to the eye.

In addition, it has the virtue of being a plant that should not always rest on a wall or surface, but can grow in isolation and thus function as a living fence. So it is very common to see this and many other varieties of celestine in gardens, since its main use is oriented to the ornamental.

Celestine is a great plant to have in the garden, since unlike other specimens, it blooms all year round except in the coldest winter months. The flowers stand out among the leaves with whitish scales, the woody stems and the arched, hanging branches.

It should be noted at this point that the characteristics of the matchmaker are not general. As could be seen in the previous section, there are three different species that share the same common name, por what is correct to talk about the specific characteristics of each of them.

Features plumbago auriculata

Although it is known as matchstick, the scientific name of this plant is plumbago auriculata. However, popularly it is also known as Blue Jasmine, Plumbago, Cape Jasmine, Sky Jasmine, Celestinas, Blue Jasmine, Azulina or Celestial Jasmine.

Its sky blue flowers are characteristic, having a cylindrical morphology and five petals. Although they are usually this color, there is a variety whose flowers are white.

Features Plumbago indica

The main feature is that its flowering is not as abundant as the conventional matchstick. But if it has a different color and quite striking and vibrant. The color of its flowers is red, while its leaves tend to be a little lighter green.

Regarding the flowering time, It is located between the months of July and December. So he spends five whole months creating new flowers. To be able to cultivate this species in space, it is necessary to consider an environment whose temperature is not so hot and above all, that does not drop below 7 ° C.

Features European plumbago

As it was mentioned already, the European prefers wastelands and dry places. It adapts very well to these environments. Unlike the previous ones, the plant has a dark green color, its stem tends to be a little angular and it has a woody texture.

The leaves can be up to 9 cm long. As for your flowers, these are grouped in the form of inflorescence and at the same time, herringbone-shaped.

It should be noted that they have a tubular calyx, although still has characteristics of a shrub, it is not as big or leafy as the previous ones, but it gives a good view to any garden that has dry soil.

Care

The best time to sow the plant is winter and spring. Needs to be in full sun although it grows without problems in semi-shady places, its flowering being affected in these cases. In very hot climates, it is best not to receive direct light.

Moreover, does not support frost, so it must be protected in places with winters of -5 degrees Celsius. The ideal soil for this plant is one that is sandy and with good drainage, and a fertilizer is recommended every week if it is grown in a pot.

Watering should be abundant in summer and moderate in winter, being a plant that needs an annual pruning in order to control its growth. It may also need the support of stakes due to the nature of its branches.

Farming

Like any other plant that is intended for gardens or cultivation in general, They have some techniques or requirements that you must follow and know. The main aspects to consider are:

• Keep them in temperate places or where the environment is not less than 7 or 10 ° C. It is preferable to have them in hot environments.
• You need to be in a place where it gets a lot of sunlight. So it is a plant that has to be directly under the sun.
• It is necessary to avoid at all costs that the wind blows very strong drafts.
• It is recommended to have some tutors to control plant growth.

In addition to this, it requires some extra requirements to give the plant the life it deserves in your garden, such as:

Irrigation

It is not surprising that the plant needs a lot of water since it is not a plant of dry environments. Otherwise it would dry out due to the lack of this element.

So during the summer and spring, is when you have to give it much more irrigationYes, you have to do it once you notice that the earth around it has completely dried up.

But try as much as possible to avoid flooding, you can make its roots rot or the plant acquire some disease. Of course, when you go to water it, do not do it when the sun is nourishing it with its light, preferably during the afternoon or first thing in the morning.

Soil

It does not require many things to adapt to the ground, just a place where the water can drain without problems and that there are no puddles. On the other hand, if you want to have the matchstick in a pot, it is advisable to add one or two handfuls of gravel or expanded clay balls.

This will make it easier for the water to drain and prevent the roots from rotting from too much water. In case you intend to transplant it to another place or have it directly on the ground, it is best to do it while it is spring.

The subscription

The fertilizer that you will be giving to the plant will vary depending on the time of year in which you are. For instance, if you are in spring, you have to add compost every two weeks. On the other hand and when you are in the middle of summer, the fertilizer has to be constant.

As for autumn or winter, depending on where you are, the subscription must be suspended compulsorily. Some think that it does not matter, but it is essential not to give these nutrients for these times of the year.

Common pests and diseases

The pests and / or diseases that plague the plumbago auriculata, they affect your physical appearance most of all. It can even kill the plant if it is not treated in time..

Among the most common problems of this plant are:

• Wilted leaves from poor watering. Whether it is watered a lot or a little.
• Extreme cold can quickly dry out the plant. All you have to do is remove the damaged parts and move it to a warmer place.
• The flowers do not grow because of being in a soil poor in nutrients, or lack of fertilizer.
• Aphids They are the pests that most plague this species. You should do a little more research or ask at a botany business, about what specific product you have to use.

Uses

It is not surprising that this plant is an abundant species in the gardens, but this does not mean that it has too many uses. The only use that is known at the moment is ornamental.

The rest have no beneficial use, but the simple fact of having this shrub in your garden makes it worthwhile to offer the care it needs.