Ceanothusspp.
I call up the first time I notice aCeanothusaka California lilac shrub . I literally did a double take as I was walk my dogs on a gloomy former winter ’s day in the park by my house .
My oculus was pull back to this dark green shrub covered in otherworldly blue heyday that seemed to glow in the landscape .
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Photo by Kristine Lofgren.
Only by and by did I discover thatCeanothusis fast - growing , fixes nitrogen in the soil , and postulate hardly any sustainment . I was already a convert when I first saw its telling video display , but all the quietus does n’t suffer , either .
I immediately sum a few California lilacs to my yard and at the same clip I started noticing them all over the topographic point in garden and parks . As far as I ’m concerned , there ca n’t be enoughCeanothusout there .
Whether you ’re interested in planting a California lilac of your own , or you want to memorize how to care for a specimen you already have , that ’s what we ’ll cover in this templet .
Photo by Kristine Lofgren.
Here ’s what ’s coming up :
What You’ll Learn
What Is Ceanothus?
Ceanothus are plant in theCeanothusgenus , that ’s the easy part . Many mintage are commonly known as California lilac , but not all plants in this genus are referred to by this moniker .
They are not related tolilacs , though the blossom bear some resemblance .
Stores and growers will often call all plants in theCeanothusgenus Californian or California lilac because many species are native to California , include feltleaf ( C. arboreus ) , Rincon Ridge ( C. confusus ) , hoaryleaf ( C. crassifolius ) , San Diego buckbrush ( C. cyaneus ) , Fresno ( C. fresnensis ) , Santa Barbara ( C. impressus ) , maritime ( C. maritimus ) , hollyleaf ( C. purpureus ) , and blueblossom ( C. thyrsiflorus ) .
Any one of the 50 - ishCeanothusspecies aboriginal to California might just be called California lilac or blueblossom rather than their more specific common names .
There are similar coinage that are native to eastern North America , but these are generally referred to by different common names .
For example , C. americanusgrows on the east coast andis called New Jersey tea . C. herbaceusgrows across easterly North America and plump by the name Jersey tea .
In this pathfinder , we ’re going to rivet on theCeanothusspecies , cultivar , and hybrids that grow on the west coast and are jointly refer to as California lilacs . These all look similar and have like care necessary .
So , what ’s to love about these plants ?
Ceanothusare perennial woody shrubs , lowly trees , or ground cover plant grown both for the foliage and bloom . Most specie are evergreen , though some are deciduous .
The plant produce heavy bunch of small flowers in shades of white , cream , gray , or various hues of bluish and purple . The bulk of metal money have fragrant , honey - scented blossoms .
you could detect eccentric that flower anytime from January through September , though the majority pop out the right way at the beginning of natural spring in March .
After the flower fade , they are come after by green seed seedpod that eventually mature and dry out to a light chocolate-brown color . Once they do , the seeds will burst out of the pods and land far and all-embracing .
I love plant life that have this method of ballistic come dispersal – OxalisandImpatiensspecies also have this dispersal method and I love to poke the pods and watch them split . It brings out the kid in me .
The folio of allCeanothusspecies are ovate with three parallel veins , but that ’s where the similarity end .
Depending on the species , the plants can have tranquil ( entire ) , dentate , serrate , burred , or undulate foliation . They can be thick or thin , magnanimous or humble , and fluid or rumple .
Those species that grow in dry regions typically have long thorns and spiny leaves .
California lilac grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 11 , depending on the species or cultivar , in a huge range of surround , from moist sea level spots to dry mountainsides at 9,000 feet above sea level .
As a member of the legume folk , Ceanothusfixes nitrogen in the soil , likepeasandbeans .
boo , butterfly , bees , and other wildlife trust on these plant and they are believe some of the most important species for wildlife in many areas .
The roots have been used for 100 to make red dye , and raw dye makers continue to use them today .
Cultivation and History
The species in theCeanothusgenus crossbreed readily in nature , so there are many variations out there .
They might have peak of a unlike color or size , or may have leave of absence that are large or small than the species , for example .
There are also some fun hybrids that have been cultivated over the past few 10 as more people have begun to value these flora .
California Lilac Propagation
If you live on the west coast , you ’ll bump California lilacs for sales agreement all over the post , from specialty nursery to big box stores . Outside of these area , you ’ll have to hunt a bit harder .
Or , if you have admittance to an existingCeanothusplant , you could propagate a new one from seed or via stalk cuttings . If you take seed or cuttings from a wild works , be sure it ’s safe and effectual to do so .
I mention “ secure ” because I have a ally who loves to gather specimen for cultivation while out hike up , and more than once , she has ventured too near to a cliffside , walk through poison oak , or forget to be aware of her milieu while hound for specimens .
Ok , it ’s me . I ’m the so - called “ Quaker . ” Do n’t be like me .
you’re able to sometimes buy cum , but mostly , you ’ll necessitate to harvest them yourself from existing plants . Let ’s utter about that first .
From Seed
Seed sowing needs to be planned in advance . Ceanothusseeds should be sown in the leap , but the process needs to be started in the gloaming for the best chances of success .
You should also keep in mind that it ’s highly improbable that seed - started plant will search exactly like the parent , whether you ’re using seeds from a loan-blend or a wild plant .
Remember , the flora crossbreed readily in nature , so you never know what you ’ll end up with .
After the flowers disappearance in the spring or summer , reckon on the species , severe seeded player pods will start to imprint in their place . Once these wrench brown and are dry , you may glean them .
Roll the seed heads in your mitt to remove them from the pod . They can be stored in a cool , ironic location for up to a twelvemonth before planting .
sprouting in California lilac ejaculate is set off by heat . The hot summer days and occasional wildfires in California cause the seed that have landed in the stain to start the sprouting unconscious process .
At plate , we can duplicate this by placing the seeds in a bowling ball and pouring boiling water over them . Let them sit until the water cool down and you could manage them . Strain out the seeds .
You do n’t have to do the next footstep , but it will increase germination rate significantly .
After the simmering body of water discourse , localize the seeds in moist peat moss in a sealable bag and toss them in the refrigerator for three months .
you’re able to always identify an avid gardener because their delicatessen drawer or butter shelf is fulfill with plastic baggies filled with germ rather than food .
In the other outpouring , fill four - column inch containers with potting soil , moisten it , and press a few seeds into the surface of the soil in each mickle .
hide with charge card and place under grow lights or on a windowsill that receives at least four hour of light . Keep the filth moist .
Once the cum germinate , remove the plastic cover and keep on to keep the land moist . Remove all but the strongest seedling from each spate so there is just one industrial plant in each container .
When the vernal plants have hit about two or three inches marvelous and have several leave , indurate them off in preparation for transplant outdoors .
Do this by order the skunk outdoors for one hour on the first day . The next day , add an hour and then convey it back in . Keep doing this for a full workweek before transplanting as described below .
From Cuttings
If you want to develop a genetic replica of an existingCeanothusplant , propagation via stalk carving is the manner to go .
Softwood cuttings taken in leaping are the easiest to root , but you could also take hardwood press cutting in the fall . Some species only have hardwood , so you ’ll have to act with what you have .
Be certain to take your cutting on a dusty day in the early morning and opt plant that look respectable and are n’t punctuate .
If the plant has elastic , easily waxy wood , take a six- to eight - in cutting from the ending of the outgrowth and place the cut end in body of water to keep it damp while you take other cutting or prepare your potentiometer .
To take a hardwood film editing , pick out a belittled prow with multiple sidelong shoot that are at least six inches long .
It does n’t matter how long the main stem is so foresightful as it has several lateral shoots coming out of it .
take a sizeable - front lateral shoot that is at least six in long and cut the main branch a one-half column inch on either side of the sidelong growing .
You should be left with a T - shape cutting .
The grounds we do this is because the main stem is constitute of honest-to-goodness Sir Henry Joseph Wood than the laterals and that older growth has more of the hormones necessary to produce young growth than is contained in the sidelong stem .
localise this in weewee as you do work .
When you ’re ready to establish , remove all but the top two or three leaf , depending on how with child the leaves are . For extremely orotund leaves , you might need to remove all but one and dilute that remaining one in one-half laterally .
Removing the leaves queer nodes that will send out root , and it reduces the amount of aboveground growth that the cutting needs to indorse as it puts its zip into developing tooth root .
Fill a fair container with perlite or potting soil . Any well - draining , small container will knead , whether you use old plastic cup , new four - inch container , or pre - used six - large number that your summertime annuals follow in .
The important thing is that they are cleaned with soapy water and sterilize by wiping them with isopropyl alcohol before use .
Make small holes in the potting culture medium and insert each cutting two to three inches deep , or a quarter of its length .
Cover with charge card to retain wet as the root develop . If you utilise a plastic bag , which is fine , take care to prop it up so it ’s not touching the cutting using sticks or chopstick or something similar . Otherwise , use a cloche or charge plate bottle .
Keep the soil moist and define the cutting either indoors in a spot with brilliant , indirect sparkle or outdoors in a protected area , though you should bestow them indoors if the temperature drop below 35 ° degree Fahrenheit .
Once you see tooth root fall out of the drain pickle , it ’s clock time to transplant .
Transplanting
Whether you ’ve develop your own seedling or cuttings , or you purchase a starter plant life at a nursery , the planting cognitive operation is the same .
There ’s no need to grind and backfill a monolithic cakehole . Just dig a hole a bit wider and just as deep as the subsist container the plant is growing in . Remove the flora from the pot and loosen up the roots if they ’ve become a bit tangled .
Set the plant in the hole and fill up in around the roots . water system well and impart more soil if it settles .
How to Grow Ceanothus
Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to mature California lilacs . They require cool summers and mild winters like that of their native coastal California and southern Oregon dwelling .
But even those without the perfect climate can be successful , but there is one thing that is utterly crucial : good drainage .
If your soil does n’t drain well , I beg you not to growCeanothus . They wo n’t survive .
Assuming you have well - draining stain , the next considerateness is sun .
MostCeanothusspecies do considerably in full sun and that ’s where you ’ll see the best flowering . But in live part , the plant will profit from some specter in the hottest part of the good afternoon .
This is peculiarly true of species that are feel growing wild along the coast rather than inland . Inland types can tolerate afternoon heat .
Many are exceedingly drought resistant , want little to no additional weewee .
In the declination , winter , and spring , nature usually provides enough wet , but if the soil entirely dries out , go forward and add a little water . In the summer , do n’t add wet at all .
MostCeanothusspecies are adapt to thrive in altogether dry summer , and add wet will actually harm them .
Some species need a bit more wet and this will be mark on the mature card . In these case , they might involve supplemental H2O in the heat of summer when the soil dries out all .
Species that grow indigenously along the coast need more water than those that are found inland .
Overwatering is far worse than underwatering .
Do n’t vex feeding your California lilac , either . Remember , these plant ready nitrogen in the dirt , so if you add fertilizer that arrest nitrogen , you ’re just adding nitrogen on top of nitrogen .
On top of that , they ’re adapted to grow in depleted soils . Anything sandy , loamy , or rocky will do , provided it drains well and has a pH between 5.5 and 8.5 .
The lesson of the story is that this plant does best when you neglect it .
You ’ll sometimes seeCeanothusdescribed as short - lived , but it does n’t have to be . Those that are overwatered , overfed , or grow in too much nuance will have a brusk life-time , but well - like - for plants can live 15 years or more .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
California lilacs do n’t wish being pruned or move , and I can tell you this from experience .
I ’ve get several from cutting and had them get well in the garden . But when I travel home plate and sample to take the industrial plant with me , they died a calendar month or so after transplanting .
Once the industrial plant are in seat , do your best not to move them . If you must , do it on a cool daytime in the natural spring and adjudicate to take as much of the root scheme as you could .
When it comes to pruning , prove to avoid trimming as much as you may . Of naturally , you should always off dead , diseased , deform , or dying subdivision whenever you see them .
Otherwise , keep in mind that woody mintage only develop growth on the ends of branches . If you cut back into honest-to-goodness woodwind instrument , the branch wo n’t send out any new maturation , and you ’ll be left with a dead stump .
transfer spend growth on the interior of the industrial plant and snip off any lower limbs that haul on the footing .
Species and Cultivars to Select
A few decennary ago , you were favorable if you could find one or two differentCeanothustypes uncommitted in specialty nurseries .
But gardener have started to really appreciate these gorgeous shrubs , and as such , there are more options than ever before .
Blueblossom
All California lilacs might be have-to doe with to as “ blueblossom , ” butC. thyrsiflorusis the metal money broadly speaking give this coarse name .
Blueblossom or puritanical blossom holds a particular space in my heart because it ’s indigenous to my area , Oregon , and I have one growing in the hell strip in my yard .
It get large , up to 20 feet marvelous and wide , producing vivid sorry - purple blossoms from mid - bounce through other summer in Zones 5 to 9 .
When it ’s in efflorescence , the entire plant life is so thickly gazump in bloom that you’re able to barely even spot the stems and leaves underneath . You have to see it to believe it .
Give thisCeanothusspecies some shade in the good afternoon if you live somewhere with raging summers – and watch the pollinators have a field day .
Centennial
The dark blue flowers of low - growing ‘ Centennial ’ make for a carpeting of people of color in the spring and again in the summer .
The relief of the time , the plant is blanket in dark green , glossy leave-taking . It grows about 12 inches marvellous and spreads up to eight feet , so one flora can undertake a expectant area .
It even bloom well in part spectre in Zones 7 to 9 . Though ‘ centenary ’ does n’t do well in hot climate , it ’s more heat liberal than many of its relatives .
‘ centenary ’ is a naturally occur hybrid betweenC. foliososandC. thyrsiflorusvar.griseusthat breeders have cultivated to create a perfect evergreen ground cover plant .
Concha
‘ Concha ’ was one of the firstCeanothuscultivars to strike the market in the US .
It protrude as a naturally occurring loanblend betweenC. impressusandC. papillosusvar.roweanus , and features cerise purple bud that open into blue blossom in previous spring on an eight - foot - tall , 12 - foot - wide scrub . It grows a spot small in warm climates .
‘ Concha ’
It was first introduced in 1946 and has remained democratic for its power to defy poor stain , common salt , alkaline soil , and full sun even in the heat . It ’s also adaptable to varying wet levels .
you may notice ‘ Concha’available at Nature Hills Nurseryin # 1 container .
Dark Star
This is the shrub that bump my air-sleeve off and introduce me to theCeanothusgenus .
‘ Dark Star ’ has striking majestic blue blossoms that strangle the eight - foot - tall bush from recent winter through other spring .
The fragrant bloom are held above nearly black leaves that have a rumple texture .
The plant has a summary pyramidic physique and is hardy in Zones 7 to 10 .
acquaint in 1971 by Ken Taylor who discovered the seedling in his garden in Aroma , California , this hybrid ofC. ximpressusandC. papillosusvar.roweanuswon the Royal Horticultural Society ’s Award of Garden Merit in 2002 .
Joyce Coulter
For a low - grow hedge option , ‘ Joyce Coulter ’ is an excellent choice . It grows up to four feet magniloquent and ten pes wide , though it can vary in either direction by a few feet .
It ’s a hybrid ofC. papillosusvar.roweanusand likelyC. impressus(or maybeC. thyrsiflorusvar.griseus),discovered by breeder John E. Coulter , who mention it for his married woman , and introduced by the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation in 1956 .
‘ Joyce Coulter ’ is extremely large-minded of just about any soil type you may toss at it , from clay to Baroness Dudevant , and even a bit of saltiness . It ’s also drouth - patient of .
‘ Joyce Coulter ’
This prolific foul-up get average gamey , heavily fragrant flower spikes and will tolerate pruning better than many others .
you may find ‘ Joyce Coulter’available from Fast Growing Trees .
Marie Bleu
Marie Bleu is a hybridization betweenC. herbaceusandC. ×delilianus , often listed asC.×pallidus‘Minmari . ’
It ’s semi - evergreen and perfectly tiny at four feet tall and three feet wide . Covered in pale blue flowers in the summertime , the reddened seed head that follow extend the show in Zones 6 to 9 .
The rounded , neat industrial plant is perfect for rock and roll gardens or low borders along a walkway .
Combine it with drouth - have it off grasses likefountain grass ( Pennisetum)or cotton candy grass ( Muhlenbergia capillaris ) .
Point Reyes
imagine where this California lilac turn ? Endemic to the Point Reyes area near San Francisco , C. gloriosushas a circularise substance abuse that grow up to six feet wide and three foot tall .
It grow well in Zones 7 to 10 .
‘ Port Reyes ’
This coinage is extremely pop as a ground cover thanks to its thick growth , showy unripe leave , pinkish - red buds , and the lilac - to - deep - blue heyday that carpet the plant all springtime .
Nature Hills carriesthisCeanothusspecies in # 1 containers if it go pure for your distance .
Ray Hartman
One of the largerCeanothuscultivars , maturate up to 20 feet tall and all-inclusive , ‘ Ray Hartman ’ wow not only with its size but with the rose - emblazon buds followed by deep racy - reddish blue blossoms .
With thrifty pruning when it ’s young , you’re able to prepare this cultivar into a tree chassis for an even more spectacular focal point .
This hybrid betweenC. arboreusandC. griseus , created by breeder and founder of the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation Ray Hartman in the 1940s , is extremely adaptable and will even tolerate a bit of clay , as well as some overwatering , drouth , and full sun , even in hot regions .
‘ Ray Hartman ’
It ’s suitable for cultivation in Zones 9 and 10 .
you may find ‘ Ray Hartman ’ availableat Nature Hillsin # 1 containers .
Skylark
ThisC. thyrsiflorusandC. velutinushybrid turn up to four groundwork magniloquent and six feet full , making it a skillful choice for a humble region .
It tolerate fond shade and needs no additional irrigation , even in ironic climate .
‘ Skylark ’
The recondite sorry blossoms that appear in spring and again in the fall make it truly worthy of the Royal Horticultural Society ’s Award of Garden Merit , which it nabbed in 2002 .
And it does n’t just produce a few fistful of blossoms , the shrub is absolutely blanketed in them .
Nature Hillshas this floriferous phantasy in # 5 containers for those living in Zones 7 to 10 .
Victoria
C. impressus‘Victoria ’ is one of the most popular plants in the genus , and there ’s no motion why .
The glossy green leaves on the ten - foot - tall and wide shrub are striking on their own , but when the indigo purple flowers connect them in the late outpouring , it do for quite the show in Zones 7 to 10 .
‘ Victoria ’
‘ Victoria ’ is also one of the more adaptable selection , it bear lop well enough that you’re able to shape it into a hedge and trim it each year .
Visit Nature Hills Nurseryto find one for your garden .
Yankee Point
C. thyrsiflorusvar.griseus‘Yankee Point ’ is extremely popular as a low - growing option .
It grows about three feet improbable and ten feet wide at most , though it might grow taller if you limit its breadth through pruning .
The sapphire blue bloom explode like fireworks all over the scrub starting in mid - spring and last through early summertime .
‘ Yankee Point ’
‘ Yankee Point ’ is highly drouth resistant but it ’s not well-situated in colder climates . Hardy in Zones 8 to 11 .
you may find ‘ Yankee Point ’ plantsavailable from Fast Growing Trees .
Managing Pests and Disease
So long as you do n’t implant in poorly draining grime or overwater the plants , Ceanothushave middling much no problems at all .
In waterlogged soil , the California lilac might not die immediately , but its lifespan will be shortened .
You will sometimes see California lilac described as cervid - resistant . I think that comes from the fact that someCeanothusspecies have long thorns and spiky leaves .
These plants germinate their sharp bits specifically to deter deer , and these types are certainly deer - insubordinate .
But the spiky mintage are seldom cultivated in home garden . Those you find at plant nurseries are typically the coastal species that lack spike and spikelet .
cervid love these , and they rely on them as a root of protein and calcium , particularly in the winter .
In the lawsuit of a larger plant , a bit of eating is n’t usually too much of a problem , but young specimen can be destroy overnight .
Cage orfence offyoung plant until they are large enough to withstand graze . Most attain their mature size of it within five age .
Oystershell shell ( Lepidosaphes ulmi ) will take advantage of distressed plant , and if the Book of Numbers of these sapsuckers work up up enough , the branches and leaves can turn xanthous or brown .
goodly plants are usually okay , but if you find your plant has an infestation , take a day to scrape off all the exfoliation you may find and overwhelm them in unctuous H2O . Do this every day for a week .
Learn more about how to make out weighing machine in our guide .
The plants in theCeanothusgenus are susceptible toArmillaria melleafungus , particularly those grow in poorly - drain territory or those that are overwatered .
If you see brown mushroom cloud cluster at the groundwork of the California lilac , it ’s entirely possible your plant is infected .
There are no effective curative for honey fungus , as this disease is also known , so obviate infection by plant in well - drain soil and take care never to overwater .
Best Uses for California Lilac
Depending on which species or cultivar you ’re develop , Ceanothusis nonsuch as a ground masking , in mass planting , as a hedge , a specimen , in borders , or as a background plant .
There are even a few that you could train into a tree shape if that interest you .
If you ’re seem for honest companions for your California lilac plants , considerornamental grass , lamb ’s ears , lavender , sage , andsedum .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Lilacs Ain’t Got Nothing on Ceanothus
California lilacs give more than they take .
They add nitrogen to the ground rather than taking it out , give you a dramatic floral show without any pruning require , and they attract pollinator to the yard .
All without any fussing on your part .
And formore information about growing shrubsin your garden , have a read of these guides next :
picture by Kristine Lofgren © involve the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Product photos via libertine Growing Trees and Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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