in height. Californian Lilac is regarded as the hardiest of all Ceanothus hedge plants … The California lilac (ceanothus) provides fragrant blooms from late spring into early summer, and it comes in several forms for inclusion in your landscape. "Blue Blossom" (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus “Blue Blossom”) is one of the largest ceanothus, growing to 20 feet tall with a spread of up to 30 feet. ), commonly called California lilac. Always avoid heavy pruning. It has lavender-blue flowers and large, glossy, dark green leaves. What you see instead are what are called California lilacs — California lilac is a resembloid compound referring to plants in the genus Ceonothus, not even in the same plant family as Syringa; see my 6/20/13 posting “Poppies, lilacs, and lilies”, with a section on Ceonothus vs. Syringa. 14 years ago. This shrub can grow up to about eight feet tall and has a spread that can be from six to 12 feet wide (the milder the climate, the bigger the shrub), and it is very difficult to transplant an established concha shrub, so plant it in a permanent location in well-drained clay, loam or sandy soil in full sun. The blue blossom is a hardy, low-maintenance shrub that will grow well, even in poor soil conditions and once established that can handle drought conditions like champions. Most plants have to rely on the addition of nitrogen to the soil in order to be able to use it, but the California lilac is a nitrogen-fixing plant, drawing nitrogen from the air and storing it in its roots. The blue blossom shrub blooms in May and June and can be planted in partial shade areas, as well as full sun. If deer have been browsing around your plant, prune the tips only to get rid of damaged ends. Ceanothus Common name: Californian lilac A mature Ceanothus in full flower is an impressive sight, whether clothed in characteristic blue, or the more unusual pink or white. Bushes can grow tall, as much as 30 feet. Frosty Dawn California Lilac, also known as Maritime ceanothus, is a small, evergreen groundcover 2'-3' x 5'-6'. Flowers give way to … Her horticultural experience working in the nursery industry informs her garden articles, especially those dealing with arid landscaping and drought-tolerant gardening. Dorothy is a Master Gardener, former newspaper reporter, and the author of several books. 8 - 10. “Julia Phelps” (Ceanothus "Julia Phelps") grows 4 to 7 feet tall, with a spread of 7 to 9 feet. The larger ceanothus varieties are small trees. This fast-growing variety is hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10. 'President Lincoln' Lilac (Syringa vulgaris ‘President Lincoln’) Choose 'President Lincoln' lilac for a … The ceanothus Julia Phelps shrub is a magnet for butterflies with its showy dark blue-purple flowers. The plant can withstand drought conditions because of its thick roots that go very deep into the ground. It seems that lilacs do grow, and flower, in Southern California. California lilac (Ceanothus arboreus) trewithen blue, one of the 60+ species of this low-maintenance, evergreen plant. One of the most common lilac cultivars is the purple lilac, or Syringa vulgaris. Glossy, dark green leaves with a refined look give it a truly handsome appearance. The flowers, which bloom in late spring and early summer cover the entire shrub, which seems to be extremely attractive to hummingbirds and other birds; and butterflies. It is a fast-growing, durable groundcover that reaches 2-3 … The Ceanothus concha shrub is a dense plant that sports an abundance of deep blue flowers which open from purple-red buds. Family Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family) Plant identification. If you are looking for a low-spreading evergreen groundcover, the Centennial might be a good choice for you. California lilac shrubs do well when planted against a south-facing wall where they receive a degree of protection against the prevailing winds. Although there are many different varieties of groundcover, these are two that are particular favorites of ours. It is native to North America, specifically California, hence the name. The leaves of the tree are dark green and glossy, adding to the visual appeal of the tree, which can grow up to about 10-15 feet in only 18 months. Make sure you have the correct soil type for the Ceanothus you like. Colors include many shades of blue, lavender, pink, and white. Among the best of the Descanso hybrids are: ‘Lavender Lady’ ‘California Rose’ ‘Blue Boy’ ‘Angel White’ There are more than 50 types of ceanothus (Ceanothus spp. Those roots, however, make an established shrub of this variety difficult to transplant, so plant it in a permanent location, preferably protected from strong winds. Evergreen ceanothus (ex: Californian lilac) does not tolerate hard pruning, which requires gentle pruning to keep it in good condition. California Lilac Is Vibrant in All Forms: Groundcover, Shrubs, and Trees Various Forms and Colors of Ceanothus. Mockingbirds, finches, and quail love California Lilac for both the cover it provides and the seeds it produces. California lilac An adaptable shrub growing 6 ft. tall and wide, with a dazzling display of glowing purple-blue flowers in the spring. “Ray Hartman” (Ceanothus "Ray Hartman") is a hybrid of Ceanothus arboreus and Ceanothus griseus that grows 12 to 18 feet high and 15 to 20 feet wide. If it is not growing well, this is the main reason. Ceanothus can grow in most climatic zones. It likes full sun on the coast and a little shade in the interior, and is believed to be a hybrid between Ceanothus purpureus and Ceanothus gloriosus. Optimum conditions for growth. The green leaves are small. Two evergreen California lilac trees can make a great first impression for your home or business. Like it's parent, Frosty Dawn is slow growing but long lived, try planting Frosty Dawn Ceanothus on hills, mixed in with boulders, or in a border that has plants that also prefer low water. Your climate might be too cold for this plant: Change. It has clusters of light blue flowers and glossy, green leaves. Squaw carpet prefers partial shade in USDA zones 5 through 9. Cathryn Chaney has worked as a gardening writer since 2002. Actually, they make a good impression anywhere they are planted. When to prune California Lilac. It has spiky clusters of light- to dark-blue flowers and glossy, green leaves. Thrives in rocky, salt-laden coastal settings, yet ada The Ceanothus Ray Hartman. Chaney graduated from the University of Arizona in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. The shrub can grow up to about 15 feet tall at maturity. Most species of California Lilac are evergreens, with a few deciduous varieties. California lilac comes in several forms for use in the landscape. Some varieties of ceanothus are deciduous, and those are easier to grow in more exposed locations. With a wide variety of growth habits, ceanothus offers many choices for your garden, whether you need a ground cover, a shrub or a small tree. One of the best low-growing ceanothus for use as a large-scale groundcover. But some of the forms have flowers that are a lighter blue, lavender, or white. The shrub is self-fertile and, like all other California lilac species considered a nitrogen-fixing plant. Michael is a landscape/nature photographer in NM. And, there are dwarf sizes which only grow about three feet high. It has dark-green, ovate foliage for year-round cover and bright blue flowers from mid-summer to early autumn. There is even a white flowering evergreen variety 'Snow Showers' that produces small flurries of pure white flowers. Deer are very fond of California lilac, so keep that in mind when planting if you have some of these beautiful creatures that can turn into pests wandering through your property. gordonf. The icy lavender flower panicles of "Miss Kim" lilac will announce that spring has arrived … This is a reliable variety that is adaptable to a wide range of conditions. The concha can be propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings. There are more than 50 types of ceanothus (Ceanothus spp. Victoria California Lilac. They bloom in the spring, forming large clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers that attract bees and other beneficial insects. They can be evergreen shrubs, small trees, or groundcovers. The flower colour crosses the blue tones from blues (deep blue, powder blue, violet blue) to lilacs and lavender purple. Ceanothus is a genus of about 50–60 species of nitrogen-fixing shrubs and small trees in the buckthorn family (). Growing California Native Plants; Marjorie G. Schmidt, Katherine L. Greenberg. Apr 9, 2018 - Explore Akiko Nakashita's board "California lilac" on Pinterest. Most ceanothus varieties are medium-sized shrubs. California Lilac Information. “Louis Edmunds” (Ceanothus griseus "Louis Edmunds") is much wider than it is tall, with a height of 4 to 6 feet and a spread of 12 to 15 feet. Origin: From Canada, south to Mexico & Guatemala – also some in the Rocky Mountains & eastern US. 2318. Californian Lilac plants or Ceanothus 'Yankee Point' make a striking, evergreen shrub. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. "Ray Hartman" grows very quickly, up to 10 feet in less than 2 years. Ceanothus Mills Glory, Holly-Leaved California Mountain Lilac Mills Glory is a low sprawling Ceanothus reaching only 2 to 4 ft tall. Victoria California lilac flowering shrub is ideal for a tall hedge, screen or windbreak. Many species and varieties of Ceanothus are available. Substitutes for Ornamental Grass on Your Lawn, How to Care for 'Catalina Blue' Wishbone Flowers, San Francisco Botanical Garden: Ceanothus, Sonoma County Master Gardeners: Ceanothus, Devil Mountain Nursery: Ceanothus Carmel Creeper, Devil Mountain Nursery: Ceanothus Louis Edmunds, Marina Tree and Garden Club: Ceanothus "Ray Hartman", Washington State University Clark County Extension Pacific Northwest Plants: Blue Blossom. See more ideas about California lilac, Plants, Shrubs. Water a California lilac one or two times a week with 1 inch of water for its first growing season. Deep blue flowers form one-inch clusters. The Ceanothus delileanus Gloire de Versaille grows better in sandy loams or rocky soils that provide good drainage. However, they are just a place to start. The largest collection of lilac bushes in one place, is Highland Park in Rochester, N.Y. which boasts over 500 varieties, and more than 1,000 bushes. These tough plants do poorly when pampered. The entire plant appears purple in the spring as the flowers emerge and it can reach heights up to six feet. It makes a good bank cover and is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. These Lilac species are good for southern California gardens. California Lilac 'Victoria', Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Victoria' Previous Next Regarded as one of the hardiest of the California Lilacs, Ceanothus 'Victoria' is a vigorous, bushy, evergreen shrub noted for its abundant clusters of brilliant indigo blue flowers in late spring and early summer. Its low, compact and creeping habit make this an excellent choice for coastal gardens. I suspect either the nursery will make up a plan and sell you lots of plants because your slope is fine or they will make up a plan and tell you what to do for each plant whether to plant it now with ammended soil or do something to the spot and plant later. Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Victoria' SKU. Ceanothus, Wild lilac—Ceanothus spp. Ceanothus griseus horizontalis 'Yankee Point' is the most commonly planted selection of ceanothus in California. Learn More. About 30 species are from California & some grow in southern Oregon. Choosing plants that grow and thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden . Thrives in areas that receive full sun, and requires little … Characteristics: Around 50 species of evergreen & deciduous shrubs & small trees. The gracefully arching branches carry dark green shiny leaves and are tolerant of light pruning. This tree, which grows up to about 20 feet or more, is especially popular in San Francisco with its light to medium blue six-inch flower spikes and is one of the few native trees planted in sidewalk cuts on the street. It has a profuse show of dark, indigo-colored flowers and small, dark green leaves with serrated edges. While the bloom period of a lilac is only for a few short weeks, planting several different lilac cultivars together can make a bloom period that lasts up to four months. Deer, on the other hand, seem to find it pretty unappetizing, especially when it's grown in a waterwise manner. NO FERTILIZER is needed for California lilacs. The Blue blossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus) is an evergreen shrub endemic to the state of California and native to the Pacific Northwest. ), commonly called California lilac. This plant is highly recommended if you have a coastal garden where a compact form is desired. What Is a Plant That Looks Like a Bush & Has Clumps of Red Berries? With beauty, low maintenance and adaptability, California Lilac is the perfect choice for many landscape applications. Lilac cultivars range in hardiness from zones two through ten. A California lilac will perform poorly if planted in a low spot that gathers moisture, although they perform very well in almost any type soil. The Ceanothus delileanus Gloire de Versailles is a deciduous shrub that only grows to about five feet tall and requires slightly more care than the Ray Hartman variety. It only grows to be about six to 12 inches tall but spreads to up to eight feet wide These plants, sporting deep blue flowers, are able to withstand a considerable amount of shade and look great spilling down a slope of land or flowing down out of a decorative container. Deciduous ceanothus can be pruned hard (and often in … It has bright blue flowers and glossy, green leaves. The Descanso hybrid lilac ‘California Rose’ is a pink variety adapted to growing in Mediterranean climates—Sunset Zones 18-22. As many of the lower-growing varieties are native to the coastal fog belt, they will tolerate more water and shade than other varieties, but they still require very well-drained soil. Bloomerang Dark Purple (Syringa) Perfect for zones 3-7, this lilac grows up to six feet tall and six … This does not include the Southwest desert climate in which you live. "Blue Blossom" is considered one of the toughest, fastest-growing ceanothus varieties, hardy in USDA zones 7 through 9. Not only will you be improving the soil and the health of surrounding plants, you will also be providing a welcome and much-needed habitat for native birds and insects by planting California lilac. No summer watering or soil amendments needed for this gorgeous shrub, which should make it especially appealing to gardeners. Miss Kim. Small flowers in clusters are often scented and attract bees. Low-growing ceanothus varieties work well on slopes where an erosion-preventing ground cover is desired, or cascading over walls. Not all may grow in your garden and many from central and northern California may grow just fine as well. In their wild conditions Ceanothus plants have a natural life cycle of 10-15 years and in exceptional conditions can make 25-40 years, though fire often shortens that span. Chaney also writes poetry, which has appears in "Woman's World" magazine and elsewhere. Common: California Wild Lilac, Wild Lilac, Mountain Lilac, Blue Blossom. Over-watering is easy to do, especially in summer, and fertilization is not necessary and can actually be detrimental. Most of the flowers are in clusters of deep blue, situated at the end of the stems. It is a flat, spreading shrub that can reach heights of up to five or six feet. "Carmel Creeper" can be used in both coastal and inland areas, and it tolerates some shade and irrigation. The shrub is more vibrant when grown in full sun, but will tolerate some partial shade, especially in hot, summer climates, during which the plant may thrive even better. “Carmel Creeper” (Ceanothus griseus horizontalis "Carmel Creeper") grows 1 to 3 feet high with a spread to 4 feet. One of the groundcover varieties that is endemic to California is the Point Reyes Ceanothus (Ceanothus gloriosus), which can be found growing on seaside bluffs along the coastline of the San Francisco Bay Area, and on the slopes of coastal mountains. Ceanothus varieties are native to North America, particularly the western coastal states, and prefer a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and well-drained soil. Colour Range Of California Lilac Evergreen Ceanothus range in colour for both foliage and flowers. It has small crinkly holy leaves and blue puffball flowers. The tree-size California lilacs that have vibrant blue blooms include Ceanothus Ray Hartman and Ceanothus delileanus Gloire de Versailles, although the Ray Hartman, which is a hybrid of two parent species, Ceanothus arboreus, and Ceanothus griseus, seems to be a favorite for people who have a large growing area and are wanting to add a colorful tree to their landscape because it grows to be much taller than the other. It works great as a hedge and grows best in an area that has average to medium moisture that is well drained. As with trees and groundcover, there are many different varieties of shrubs and we have only focused on a few of our very favorites. The concha received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticulture Society. Be the first to review this product. 1. Of particular note, is the less known California Lilac bushes, or Ceanothus. "Julia Phelps" is hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10. It is considered the hardiest of the shrubs and grows to be the largest and is a beloved plant to ornamental gardeners because of its bright blue flowers and yellow stamens, not often seen in ornamental gardens. Common names for members of this genus are buckbrush, California lilac, soap bush, or just ceanothus. These upright, evergreen bushes can grow almost 10 feet tall, but there are some that are compact and low-growing groundcovers, which rarely reach over about six inches tall. Some are upright bushes reaching 8 or 9 feet (2 to 2.5 m.) in height while others are compact, low growing groundcovers that seldom reach more than 6 inches (15 cm.) The small, oval, glossy green leaves retain their shine through all seasons, and it makes a superb hedge that's even more beautiful when it comes to life with color. Ceanothus, common name California Lilac's, grow in the chaparral on generally south-facing slopes, in rather rocky, well-drained soils. 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