Introducing...
Spring-flowering ceanothus
Flowering from late spring to early summer, these evergreen shrubs make an excellent backdrop for early perennials. For added impact, combine those suited to wall-training, like ‘Puget Blue’, with early-flowering Clematis montana.
Looks
Size and habit varies greatly, from spreading, low-growing cultivars like ‘Yankee Point’ at up to 1m tall, to upright, vigorous cultivars like ‘Trewithen Blue’ at up to 8m. The majority have dense, bushy growth of small, mid- to dark-green leaves and bear tight oval or pyramidal clusters of pale- to deep-blue flowers. Cultivars like 'Snow Flurry' and 'Millerton Point' bear white flowers, offering something different.
Likes
A fertile, well-drained soil and a sunny, sheltered position; against a south-facing wall is ideal.
Dislikes
Heavy soils, where excess wet can damage the root system, frost pockets and cold, drying winds. Although Ceanothus are lime-tolerant, plants will suffer in shallow, chalky soil.
Did you know?
Ceanothus ‘Pershore Zanzibar’ has striking yellow and green variegated leaves, and unlike other cultivars, is primarily grown for its foliage.
Growing guide
How to grow Ceanothus
All the information you'll need to grow & care for Ceanothus in your garden.
Ceanothus we recommend
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Mystery Blue'
Californian lilac 'Mystery Blue'
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Ceanothus 'Blue Mound'
Californian lilac 'Blue Mound'
- 1–1.5 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Ceanothus arboreus 'Trewithen Blue'
Californian lilac 'Trewithen Blue'
- 4–8 metres
- 4–8 metres
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Mystery Blue'
Californian lilac 'Mystery Blue'
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Ceanothus 'Blue Mound'
Californian lilac 'Blue Mound'
- 1–1.5 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Ceanothus arboreus 'Trewithen Blue'
Californian lilac 'Trewithen Blue'
- 4–8 metres
- 4–8 metres
Useful advice
Brown scale
Climbers and wall shrubs: pruning established plants
Frost damage
Trees and shrubs: planting
Get involved
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