Great Design Plant: Ceanothus
Try these springtime stars for a bolt of blue, especially where you've got a dry spot in the garden
In 1837 the exploration ship HMS Sulphur brought back to England seeds of Ceanothus thyrsiflorus — the first California plant species introduced to European gardens. Maybe (or maybe not) it's appropriate to think of ceanothus like a Romantic poet of that same period: fast growth, brilliant accomplishments, usually death at a young age.
Although several types of ceanothus, or California lilac, are still grown in England, often against a wall, nowadays they're almost exclusively grown in U.S. West Coast gardens. In California ceanothus is a superstar of drought-resistant landscapes — a shrub or ground cover with an unmatched springtime blast of blue. If you plant one of the fast-growing, large, shrubby types, such as 'Ray Hartman', within a few years you'll have a tall, dense mass of blue each spring, accompanied by local birds and bees you've never seen before, attracted by a favorite native food source.
Although several types of ceanothus, or California lilac, are still grown in England, often against a wall, nowadays they're almost exclusively grown in U.S. West Coast gardens. In California ceanothus is a superstar of drought-resistant landscapes — a shrub or ground cover with an unmatched springtime blast of blue. If you plant one of the fast-growing, large, shrubby types, such as 'Ray Hartman', within a few years you'll have a tall, dense mass of blue each spring, accompanied by local birds and bees you've never seen before, attracted by a favorite native food source.
Distinguishing traits. Unmistakably blue bundles of flowers range from powder blue to deepest cobalt, depending on variety. There are less common white types. Evergreen leaves are small, shiny and pretty on some types.
Growing tips. This plant is fussy about soil — fast drainage is key. Overwatering kills; the moisture in summer's warm soils leads to root diseases. Water regularly after you plant, perhaps as often as every few weeks through the first summer. The eventual goal should be no water in summer. But watch carefully so young plants don't wilt.
Generally there's little need to prune. Pinch the branch tips of young plants to encourage bushy growth. After bloom, cut off stringy branches and cut out dead wood. Be careful about cutting into older wood (an inch thick or more), which may not resprout. The typical life span is 5 to 10 years, sometimes longer.
Growing tips. This plant is fussy about soil — fast drainage is key. Overwatering kills; the moisture in summer's warm soils leads to root diseases. Water regularly after you plant, perhaps as often as every few weeks through the first summer. The eventual goal should be no water in summer. But watch carefully so young plants don't wilt.
Generally there's little need to prune. Pinch the branch tips of young plants to encourage bushy growth. After bloom, cut off stringy branches and cut out dead wood. Be careful about cutting into older wood (an inch thick or more), which may not resprout. The typical life span is 5 to 10 years, sometimes longer.
How to use it. These are extremely useful landscape plants for dry spots — especially slopes and other wilder parts of a garden. Choose plants on the basis of your landscape needs rather than the shade of blue that you especially like, although the deepest blue cultivars, such as 'Julia Phelps', are hard to resist.
Ground covers. Carmel creeper (Ceanothus griseus horizontalis, shown) grows just a foot or 2 feet tall and 10 times as wide. Its light blue flowers aren't as showy as those of other types. Handsome foliage is bright green and shiny. Point Reyes ceanothus (C. gloriosus) stays lower and has smaller flowers and spiny leaves. 'Joyce Coulter' is taller, up to 5 feet.
Shrubs. Use these as screens and background plants, in natural borders with other California natives such as fremontia and bush poppy (Dendromecum). 'Ray Hartman' grows up to 20 feet tall and wide, and is a heavy bloomer. 'Julia Phelps' and 'Dark Star' stay much smaller (6 feet or smaller) and bloom the deepest blue.
Ground covers. Carmel creeper (Ceanothus griseus horizontalis, shown) grows just a foot or 2 feet tall and 10 times as wide. Its light blue flowers aren't as showy as those of other types. Handsome foliage is bright green and shiny. Point Reyes ceanothus (C. gloriosus) stays lower and has smaller flowers and spiny leaves. 'Joyce Coulter' is taller, up to 5 feet.
Shrubs. Use these as screens and background plants, in natural borders with other California natives such as fremontia and bush poppy (Dendromecum). 'Ray Hartman' grows up to 20 feet tall and wide, and is a heavy bloomer. 'Julia Phelps' and 'Dark Star' stay much smaller (6 feet or smaller) and bloom the deepest blue.
Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' shows its versatility here trained agaist a wall in a landscape by Joni L. Janecki & Associates. A wall can give extra warmth in a climate where ceanothus is marginally hardy.
Severe pruning and staking turned this ceanothus into a one-of-a-kind tree — with the brilliance of the blue spring flowers enhanced by the orange-red background.
Common names: Wild lilac, California lilac
Origin: The types typically grown in gardens originate in California, from ocean bluffs to the foothills.
USDA zones: 8 to 10 (find your zone). Most types thrive only in climates with mild winters and sunny, dry summers.
Water requirement: Light
Light requirement: Full sun or partial shade
Mature size: 1 to 25 feet tall and wide, depending on species
Benefits and tolerances: These are evergreen, drought-resistant shrubs, from creeping ground covers to bushy near-trees. They need little or no irrigation after they've become established.
Seasonal interest: Known for masses of blue in early spring to midspring.
When to plant: Early fall is the best time; get young plants started before the rainy season. Planting in early spring to midspring is OK; try to let the plants settle in before the summer heat.