Ceanothus 'Blue Cushion'

RHS Plant Profile

Californian lilac 'Blue Cushion'

Shrubs

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A compact, low mound-forming evergreen shrub up to 1m high and 2m wide with arching stems and glossy dark green leaves to 3cm long. In late spring and early summer terminal and lateral panicles, 5cm long of bright blue flowers are produced

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral or Acid

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rhamnaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: Ceanothus can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or small trees, with simple leaves and small blue, pink or white flowers in profuse axillary or terminal clusters. They are fast-growing but may be short-lived
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from strong, cold winds. Lime tolerant but may become chlorotic on shallow chalk soils. See ceanothus cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in mid- to late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Mediterranean climate plants
Wildlife gardens
Banks and slopes
Ground cover
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 8 after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus