Shrubs are often used in garden design to add structure or backbone, but if you want to add evergreen foliage and flowers to this image, then Ceanothus may be the plant for you. Commonly known as the ‘Californian lilac’, Ceanothus produces masses of blue/lilac flowers in late spring/early summer and is a fabulous plant to add to the garden and your overall plant collection.
Ceanothus are easy to grow, frost hardy plants originally hailing from California, USA. This beautiful shrub grows well in the UK and is unsurprisingly easy to care for with few problems. After purchasing your plants, you should strive to move them into their final planting positions as soon as possible. If you can’t plant right away, be sure to water the plants well, keeping the roots moist at all times, and store our plants in a cool, bright space until planting is possible.
Your Ceanothus will fully enjoy a position in full sun and will thrive if you can afford it. Position your plants toward the center or back of the edges or grow as individual specimens. They can be grown in containers as long as they are fed well, kept moist, and moved away from pockets of frost or areas that may freeze. A large container is recommended and you may want to add an annual display at the base of the plant to add seasonal interest.
Ceanothus is undemanding in terms of the soil it will happily grow in. For the best results and to create the best display, the soil should have relatively good fertility and good drainage, although the soil should retain moisture. To prepare for planting, you can incorporate organic matter, such as well-rotted garden compost or all-purpose compost, and apply a general fertilizer to provide plants with essential nutrients for growth. An annual mulch of organic matter will also help improve soil structure and insulate plant roots while keeping weeds at bay.
Caring for your Ceanothus is relatively straightforward, and as long as you prepare the soil and give it plenty of sun, it should thrive. After planting, water the plants well to ensure they develop strong roots and establish themselves well. You need to make sure that the plants do not dry out completely, as this will increase stress and inhibit growth. Plum the plants slightly after flowering, as this will help encourage new growth and improve the overall shape of the plants. You should also prune dead or diseased branches to improve health.
You can propagate Ceanothus simply by taking cuttings in August. Gently remove semi-mature material. Select only the strongest shoots and discard the lower leaves of the selected material. Place the cuttings in a good cutting compost and let sit in a propagator or cold frame until they have formed roots.