Is Ceanothus Victoria an evergreen?
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. The flowers are so profuse that they literally cover the bush, creating a breathtaking floral display.
Is Ceanothus cold hardy?
What a surprise this very dark, dark, dark blue flowered Ceanothus has turned out to have excellent cold hardiness. In our climate it is a low and spreading evergreen shrub with glossy leaves. To 3′ tall by 6′ wide in 6 years.
How big do Ceanothus plants get?
(You can also find many native Ceanothus) Darkest blue flowers bloom in spring and again in summer, glossy dark evergreen leaves, low ground cover shape. Grows 12" x 6-8', sun-part shade, Hardy 5-10f Bright blue flowers against tiny dark green holly leaves. Grows 2' tall x 8-10' wide and is a tough drought tolerant ground cover. Hardy 15f
Can Ceanothus be used as a border?
These deciduous or evergreen shrubs look particularly good grown or trained against a sunny, sheltered wall, but can also be used as border plants, informal hedges and ground cover. All the information you'll need to grow & care for ceanothus in your garden.
Is ceanothus an evergreen Victoria?
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.
Where is the best place to plant ceanothus?
Where to plantCeanothus flower best in full sun and can be disappointing in a shady spot.Plants need a sheltered location, away from frost pockets and strong winds – against a south-facing wall is ideal.More items...
Which ceanothus is most hardy?
Ceanothus varieties to grow repens is one of the hardiest varieties, with pale blue flowers. It is a low-growing evergreen, forming a natural mounded shape and looks good at the front of a mixed border, or grown as ground cover.
Can you cut ceanothus back hard?
Evergreen ceanothus generally need little pruning other than a quick, post-flower shaping. For more intensive thinning, limit pruning to 1-inch-diameter or smaller stems. Focus on soft stems and the new year's shoots, and avoid woody branches. Large branches may not regrow if pruned.
What is the lifespan of a Ceanothus?
In general you are doing well with your 20 year old tree, Ceanothus tend to live fast and die young; an average lifespan is between 10 and 15 years but give it a chance over the winter and prune off any frost damaged stems to healthy wood and remove dead stems in the Spring.
How tall do Ceanothus get?
It grows from 3-6 ft tall, will adapt to clay, and can tolerate limited deer browsing. Ceanothus 'Concha' is a highly adaptable garden-worthy cultivar, accepting summer water more forgivingly than most, with dark green glossy leaves and deep, cobalt blue flower clusters in late spring.
Should I deadhead Ceanothus?
Pruning & deadheading Ceanothus has a tendency to become overcrowded, which can stifle future growth and make their visual appearance cluttered. Remove spent blooms or deadhead new growth to keep a healthy appearance. Varieties that flower in spring and summer should be pruned after flowering.
When should Ceanothus be pruned?
If you find your Ceanothus is outgrowing its allotted space, Ceanothus can be pruned. The evergreen varieties (most) are pruning group 8, which recommends pruning after flowering. Most Ceanothus flower in late May and June and you are safe to prune from late June onwards.
What is the best Ceanothus to buy?
Our pick of the best ceanothusBlue Mound. Spreading small-leaved evergreen. ... Blue Sapphire. Dark purple-green evergreen leaves on arching stems. ... Concha. Larger grower clothed in small evergreen leaves. ... Cool Blue. New variegated dwarf form. ... Dark Star. Deep purple-blue honey-scented flowers on arching stems. ... C.
Does Ceanothus flower twice?
As long as it has plenty of light and space, it grows almost anywhere, on a wide range of soils. The blue flowers are prolific and fragrant and highly attractive to butterflies. They're so keen to flower that you'll often get them to flower twice – May and then October.
How do you look after Ceanothus?
Caring for Ceanothus soapbush shrubs is also easy. Plant them in dry, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.5 and 8.0. They do fine in full sun or partial shade, but be sure to give them a little water in the driest part of summer.
Why is my Ceanothus not flowering?
Generally, they do not respond too well if you have pruned the thicker branches. When pruning, look for the finer and smaller branches to prune. If you have simply reduced the general top/end growth, this could affect the possibility to produce flowers. These shrubs are tricky anyway, and are not really long lived.
Do Ceanothus grow well in pots?
GROWING CEAOTHUS IN CONTAINERS Late spring / early summer flowering Ceanothus do not do well in pots or containers. Consider some other shrub if pots are your only option. One we can fully recommend is Mock Orange which produces masses of flowers in early to late summer.
What can I plant next to Ceanothus?
The early spring flowering varieties of Ceanothus look good with Clematis Montana illustrated in the image above right. Once planted in a sheltered spot away from chilly winds, Ceanothus is trouble free and will reward with lovely blue flowers year after year.
Can you grow Ceanothus in shade?
Proper exposure for Ceanothus Full shade is too dark. Best plant your Ceanothus in a spot where it will get either full sun or part sun. The more sunlight your ceanothus gets, the more flowers it will bear.
Should I deadhead Ceanothus?
Pruning & deadheading Ceanothus has a tendency to become overcrowded, which can stifle future growth and make their visual appearance cluttered. Remove spent blooms or deadhead new growth to keep a healthy appearance. Varieties that flower in spring and summer should be pruned after flowering.
Where does Ceanothus come from?
Belonging to the Rhamnaceae family, Ceanothus is a large genus including over 60 species of diverse and beautiful shrubs or small trees. Native from North America, mostly from California, Ceanothus reward us with masses of fluffy flower panicles in the rarest color in nature, blue. Ranging from azure, cobalt, indigo to ultramarine, a wide variety of tints and shades are available. A few cultivars are available in white or pink.
What is the color of Ceanothus?
If you select the right Ceanothus varieties, you could enjoy the beauty of their dazzling blooms across most seasons! The pretty flowers contrast vividly with the foliage that tends to be dark glossy green on most varieties. The ovate leaves can be small to medium in size, mostly with serrated edges.
How long does Ceanothus live?
Ceanothus is often reported to be short lived, but this is usually based on poor site selection. Poorly drained soils combined with frequent summer irrigation will kill the plant in a few years. While some species and cultivars can be naturally short-lived, others, such as ceanothus arboreus or ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus can live 25 years or more in the garden.
Can Ceanothus be watered in summer?
While occasional summer watering may improve the look of most established ceanothuses, the soil should be allowed to dry between waterings. Ceanothus 'Gloire de Versailles'. Ceanothus 'Marie Simon'. Ceanothus 'Skylark'.
Is a California lilac evergreen?
When a California Lilac bursts into bloom, it is a breathtaking sight to behold. Evergreen or deciduous, mounding or prostrate, they are easy to grow, tolerate drought, heat, seacoast conditions, and grow well in most soils as long as they are well-drained. Belonging to the Rhamnaceae family, Ceanothus is a large genus including over 60 species ...
Where does Ceanothus grow?
What makes it even better is that Ceanothus doesn't grow just anywhere. We in Portland are fortunate to live in one of the blessed places where Ceanothus will thrive. The West Coast from British Columbia to California has temperatures that are low enough in summer and mild enough in winter to support this plant, and indeed most species of Ceanothus originate in California and southwest Oregon.
What are ceanothus seeds?
They are mostly green, with some varieties having gold or white variegation and others tinged purple. All Ceanothus are nitrogen fixing plants & improve soils where they are grown.
What type of soil does Ceanothus prefer?
Culture: Ceanothus adapts to a wide range of soil types, but prefers to be dry or have excellent drainage in summer. Plants in very rich garden soil grow fast but are shorter lived.
How long do ceanothus live?
In the wild they're often the first plants to grow after a fire and they fill in quickly, but are often short-lived (5-20 years). Size: Varies by species & cultivar.
Do bees like Ceanothus?
Bees love Ceanothus flowers. For many this is a good thing, but for those with allergies it can be a problem.
How tall is Ceanothus?
Full sun to light shade (high overhead shade) and average soil that drains. Adaptable to clay soils, especially on slopes and not watered at all in summer. Completely drought adapted, no water necessary once established. To 18′ tall and half as wide in 7 years. Great screen, blue flowered tree that is beautiful in bloom but fades to a background for the rest of the year. Prodigious pruning can keep it much lower and it makes a great large hedge in no time. Good cold hardiness to 5ºF. We chose this variety in the wild because it was found quite a bit away from the coast which increases cold hardiness and it was immensely heavy in bloom. Prune AFTER flowering if needed. As a hedge or smaller plant it only requires pruning once a year- especially if strictly unwatered. Extraordinarily heavy bloomer and the trusses of flowers are often divided into six or more sub-branches for a very full look in bloom. Pairs well with Madrone and Arctostaphylos. Oregon native plant.
How long does ceanothus live?
Also, years of detritus from the shrub collects to form wonderful enriched soil as well. Average life span increases the less this plant is watered once established but expect 9-15 years.
What is the most common ceanothus in Oregon?
The most widespread native Ceanothus in our region. Its known by two common names, red stem Ceanothus which is fairly self explanartory and Oregon tea. A large growing shrub to small tree with conspicuous sanguine stems clad in large mid green leaves, this completely deciduous shrub is not known for fall color making due with yellow and off green before abandoning the plant. Fast growing to 12′ tall in May-July depending on elevation frothy white, fragrant flowers loosely decorate this sparse plant. In full sun and with regular irrigation it achieves tree-like status quickly. In the shade it makes rounded twiggy plant that is much less graceful. A wonderful native for pollinators and birds. Pollinators relish the flowers and birds make off with the black and brown seeds. Very graceful when well grown and that means average soil and water to establish then none in subsequent years. Excellent bordering woods and thickets. Naturally occurring with Frangula (Rhamnus) purshiana and Rosa nutkatensis var. nutkatensis. Tolerates more summer water than most Ceanothus but none is necessary. Not deer resistant. Native in the Portland city limits. Oregon native plant.
Why are ceanothus important?
Ceanothus are very important for spring pollinators. A shrub in full bloom is a fascinating mass of bees, hover flies and many more pollinators. Some of our earliest butterflies to emerge also feast on Ceanothus. There is a place and a use in every garden for this fascinating group of west coast natives.
What is the largest group of native shrubs in Oregon?
Oregons largest group of native shrubs. Ceanothus are Oregon’s largest genus of native shrubs. A total 13 species populate the state from the coast to the high Cascades. In Southwestern Oregon a conglomeration of species even results in hybrids.
What is a strong growing shrub?
A strong growing shrub that can literally explode in growth in rich soil but is much more restrained in poorer mediums. Remember this when planting it. It performs the best in average, un-amended soils in full sun with regular summer water for the first season to establish and then none in subsequent years.
Where can I find Coast Blue Blossom?
Greg and I found this distinctive form of Coast Blue Blossom in the wild. This species ranges from Lane County, Oregon to Santa Barbara County , California. A fast growing seral species that follows fire and disturbance. Very near the location where we discovered this handsome small tree was to the largest Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ever discovered in 1925- it was nearly 30′ tall. This is a large and fast growing evergreen tree with copious amounts of scintillating flowers. It has smaller deep green leaves and huge trusses of soft turquoise flowers in late April to early June. A tall growing tree/shrub that attains heights of 15′ very quickly if allowed. This drought tolerant native takes very well to pruning too- which should be done after blooming. Full sun and average well drained soil- including clay soils. Little to no summer water when established. Excellent for use as an instant screen or informal hedgerow. Pretty in the background of dry borders. Loved by bees and butterflies in bloom. Very easy to grow native evergreen shrub that should be used more. Life span 15-20 years. Oregon native plant.
What is the color of Ceanothus?
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'El Dorado': Known for its variegated foliage that is green with golden edges, this cultivar also bears powder blue flowers. Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Arroyo de la Cruz': B lue flowers, dense branches, and small leaves adorn this variety which is known for its fast growth rate.
What is the blue blossom ceanothus?
The blue blossom ceanothus ( Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ), also known as blue mountain lilac, is an evergreen shrub that is native to the West Coast of North America.
How cold can blue blossom ceanothus grow?
The blue blossom ceanothus shrub has fairly good heat and cold tolerance. It can handle temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. However, in the colder parts of its growing zones, it ideally should be planted in a spot that is sheltered from strong, chilling winds.
How much sun does a blue blossom celenothus need?
Light. The blue blossom ceanothus shrub prefers to grow in full sun to partial shade, meaning at least roughly four hours of direct sunlight on most days. In the warmer parts of its growing zones, it prefers more shade, especially from strong afternoon sun.
What is the name of the flower that attracts bees?
The flowers give way to small purple or brown fruits that also are attractive to wildlife. Blue blossom ceanothus has a quick growth rate and can be planted in the fall or spring. Botanical Name. Ceanothus thyrsiflorus. Common Names. Blue blossom ceanothus, blue mountain lilac, ...
Where does blue mountain lilac grow?
The blue blossom ceanothus ( Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ), also known as blue mountain lilac, is an evergreen shrub that is native to the West Coast of North America. The shrub has a rounded form with arching branches that bear glossy green elliptic to ovate leaves. Large clusters of tiny pale to dark blue flowers with yellow stamens appear in ...
Do blue blossom cenothus need pruning?
The blue blossom ceanothus shrub does not need much pruning even once it's mature. And, in fact, heavy pruning can actually weaken the shrub’s integrity and harm its health. However, you may prune just the tips of branches to promote a more compact shape.