
Introducing...
Summer and autumn-flowering ceanothus
These deciduous or evergreen shrubs flower from mid-summer onwards and are a great way to add a touch of blue to summer-flowering perennial borders. Easy to incorporate into many planting schemes, they look excellent as a specimen plant in a hot Mediterranean bed, or combined with soft pinks and blues for a classic cottage garden feel.
Looks
Vigorous bushy shrubs, many with a rounded habit, bear oval or pyramidal clusters of blue-toned flowers. Deciduous types, including the unusual pink-flowering cultivars ‘Marie Simon’ and ‘Perle Rose’, have larger and thinner-textured leaves than the evergreens as well as looser, elongated clusters of flowers.
Likes
These shrubs grow best in a fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position; against a south-facing wall is ideal.
Dislikes
Heavy soils that are prone to waterlogging and shady spots where flowering will be poor. Though deciduous types tend to be more tolerant of exposure than evergreens, plants won’t thrive in cold, windy spots.
Did you know?
Ceanothus are a good plant for pollinators, with their flowers favoured by honeybees and bumblebees. Many also produce berries after flowering, which are a good source of food for garden birds.
Growing guide

How to grow Ceanothus
All the information you'll need to grow & care for Ceanothus in your garden.
Summer and autumn-flowering Ceanothus we recommend
Ceanothus × delileanus 'Gloire de Versailles'
Californian lilac 'Gloire de Versailles'
- From1To1Point5
- From1Point5To2Point5
Ceanothus × delileanus 'Topaze'
Californian lilac 'Topaze'
- From1To1Point5
- From1Point5To2Point5
Ceanothus × pallidus 'Perle Rose'
Californian lilac 'Perle Rose'
- From1To1Point5
- From1Point5To2Point5
Ceanothus × delileanus 'Gloire de Versailles'
Californian lilac 'Gloire de Versailles'
- From1To1Point5
- From1Point5To2Point5
Ceanothus × delileanus 'Topaze'
Californian lilac 'Topaze'
- From1To1Point5
- From1Point5To2Point5
Ceanothus × pallidus 'Perle Rose'
Californian lilac 'Perle Rose'
- From1To1Point5
- From1Point5To2Point5
Useful advice
Brown scale
Climbers and wall shrubs: pruning established plants
Frost damage
Trees and shrubs: planting
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.