I live in Japan and my neighbour has a large, woody, deciduous, purple flowered shrub in his garden that attracts a lot of insects. It is now over 2 meters tall. It's multi-stemmed and definitely not a tree. He doesn't know what it is. I can't find an ID or anyone who knows what it is. I've never seen it growing wild, only in gardens. Here are some pics of a softwood cutting, and the flower form. Please help!
I am thinking that it what we call a plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) which is otherwise known as a Cape leadwort. They have different variations of flower color from blue to purple. Hope this helps. And here is a link..... http://nativeinthecity.blogspot.ca/2011/08/plumbago-plumbago-auriculata.html
Yes!!! That looks like it. Thank you! I've seen it growing in a few places now, but no one seems to know a Japanese or western name for it. It's a great plant for butterflies and hawk moths!
The Japanese name (according to Japanese wiki) is ルリマツリ You won't see it wild in Japan; it is native to South Africa.
