Californian lilac

More useful information about Californian lilac

More information about Ceanothus

Ceanothus fits perfectly in a rock garden and is an attractive companion for bedding or shrub roses, but its also looks great in a container on the terrace.

Representatives of the genus Ceanothus (family Rhamnaceae) are also commonly called Californian lilacs, as they actually resemble the summer lilac in leaf and flower. If you buy one of these plants, you will get a frugal flowering shrub that does not require extensive care - its wild forms can successfully compete on rocky sites in western and southern North America. Heat and drought do not bother Ceanothus much, but you should protect it a little during the cold season. Californian lilacs are partly evergreen, but in our latitudes, they are only to be expected in mild winters.

Buy Californian lilac - blue flowers for refreshing accents

Our range of Ceanothus is diverse: Gloire de Versailles shows its ice-blue flowers for many weeks until the first frost; Creeping Ceanothus does not grow taller than 50 centimetres and is, therefore, an ideal ground cover; the Marie Simon variety forms pretty conical inflorescences in a delicate shade of pink and is relatively frost hardy.

Growth and flowering

Ceanothus species grow as shrubs, sometimes also as small trees. They often have low, bushy growth and then become much broader than their height. Californian lilacs form a strong main root, which is only slightly branched. The upright flower panicles magically attract butterflies and bees. Small capsule fruits with tiny seeds appear afterwards.

The suitable location

This plant prefers light, nutrient-poor and well-drained soils. The location should definitely be sunny and protected from cold winds. A location against a wall is therefore very suitable. Mineral soil is better suited than heavy, humus-rich soil.

Planting

If you buy one of these plants, it is best to plant them in the spring. Please note that after a few years the flowering shrubs will be difficult to transplant, so choose the location carefully.

Care and fertilisation

Only water your plant when the soil is really dry or when it has not yet completely established itself. It can tolerate dryness well over a longer period of time. Ceanothus are nitrogen collectors and therefore do not require fertilisation. Too much nitrogen could even have a negative effect on its flowering. It is also better to avoid mulching and the application of compost.

Pruning

Ceanothus bloom mainly on annual wood, but only a few flowers develop on old canes. In order to achieve compact growth and to increase the flowering abundance, the shoots should be pruned back to short beginnings with few eyes each spring. Thinning out after flowering is also recommended - this stimulates the development of new side shoots.

Winter protection

These plants are somewhat sensitive to frost. Intense winter sun and icy, dry winds can damage the shrubs. For this reason, covering the lower area with fir brushwood or a thick layer of leaves has proved to be a good solution. When cultivating in a container, you should make sure that the soil and root ball is neither drenched nor frozen through in the winter. It is therefore advisable to place the pot in a protected position and to insulate it with a suitable material.

In spite of all protective measures, this plant can freeze above ground in the winter. But don't despair: it usually sprouts again willingly!