Ceanothus 'Concha'
The Californian lilacs look fantastic through late spring. Look out for Ceanothus ''Concha', a dense evergreen shrub covered in reddish buds that open to smother the plant in dark blue flowers, making a dazzling display.
This Ceanothus is best grown as a single specimen where its arching shape can be fully appreciated, and at RHS Garden Hyde Hall you can find it in the Island Beds in the Hilltop Garden where it enjoys an open, sunny situation.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Californian lilac ‘Concha’
- Family
- Rhamnaceae
- Height & spread
- 3m (10ft) high and wide
- Form
- Evergreen shrub
- Soil
- Fertile and well drained, sheltered from cold winds
- Aspect
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost hardy: down to –5°C
Ceanothus ‘Concha’
Ceanothus is a native of North America, particularly California. Its name comes from the Greek name for a spiny plant.
It is a genus of about 55 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from the USA and Mexico, where it is found in scrub and woodland on dry slopes.
They are cultivated for their profusion of small flowers which range in colour from powder blue to deep purple, with a few having white, cream or pink flowers. Most flower in spring and early summer, with some species flowering late summer and autumn.
Ceanothus tolerate drought, heat and cold, provided the soil is free draining, but they resent disturbance. They are quick growing but can be short lived and make an attractive addition to a shrub border or against a sunny wall.
Ceanothus 'Concha'
'Concha' is a bushy, evergreen shrub of dense habit, to 3m in height and width, with arching branches bearing narrow, dark green leaves. In late spring, reddish purple buds open as profuse clusters of deep blue flowers.
Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, well-drained soil, in full sun sheltered from strong, cold winds. It can be trained against a wall where it will reach a greater height than in an open site.
- Prune lightly after flowering, removing spent flower heads if practical and dead or damaged wood.
- If growing against a wall, trim outward facing shoots and those growing towards the wall. Cut back flower shoots to within 2 – 4 buds of the permanent framework.
- Ceanothus is susceptible to scale insects, honey fungus and phytophthora.
Propagation
AGM
The RHS Woody Plant Committee awarded Ceanothus 'Concha' an Award of Garden Merit and described it as follows:
'Best new blue, intense colour, free flowering.'