5 Ceanothus to grow in pots

The prostrate ceanothus, a small bush native to the wild.

Native to the north-west of the United States, where it grows wild along the Pacific Ocean, the prostrate ceanothus is a small bush, reaching a height of 40 cm. It has a spreading and creeping habit with a span of up to 2 metres. Its bright green foliage, made up of small, glossy, evergreen leaves, is covered from April to June with lavender-blue flowers. Grouped in 3 cm panicles, they are slightly fragrant and attract pollinating insects. After flowering, the seeds are released explosively.

Due to its small size, the prostrate ceanothus can be grown in a pot with some precautions. Repot it in a large container with a light substrate made from a mix of garden soil, sand, and potting compost. In spring and autumn, provide a little slow-release fertiliser to the bush. In summer, water abundantly but only when the soil is dry. In regions where frosts drop below -10°C, the pot should be kept in a cool, bright conservatory during winter.

Prostrate ceanothus

Ceanothus 'Skylark', one of the most widely cultivated.

The Ceanothus ‘Skylark’ is one of the most widely planted and therefore a safe bet. It reaches a height of 2 metres at ripeness with a spread of 2 metres and can be grown in a pot. With a soft, bushy habit, it displays glossy dark green evergreen foliage and produces panicles of intense blue flowers in May and June. The flower buds are purple. This bush tolerates drought as well as cold down to –10°C in a pot, once well established. It also adapts to alkaline soil and pruning.

As it prefers well-drained soil, it should be planted in a pot with a mix of soil, sand, and potting compost. It thrives in full sun, with fertiliser applied in spring and autumn, and should be sheltered from frost depending on your region. In summer, watering should be repeated when the soil is dry.

Ceanothus ‘Skylark’

The ceanothus 'Italian Skies', an easy-to-grow variety

The ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ is one of the easiest varieties of California lilac to grow. Small in size, it climbs up to 1 metre with a width of 2 metres and is well-suited for pot cultivation. It forms a regular dome with glossy dark green foliage that remains decorative all year round. In April and May, clusters of small, very dark blue flowers appear, attracting bees with their fragrance. Its flower buds are, on the other hand, pink in colour.

Withstanding brief frosts down to –10°C in pots, it adapts to all types of soil, provided the substrate is well-drained. On a balcony or terrace, plant it in a large pot and offer it a mix of soil and sand. In summer, water generously when the soil is dry. In spring and autumn, apply fertiliser and, if necessary, bring it indoors when frosts are too severe.

Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’

Ceanothus pallidus 'Marie Rose', a light pink flowering.

The ceanothus pallidus ‘Marie Rose’ is sure to delight lovers of pink flowers. Also known as the “summer ceanothus,” it blooms in June and July, covering itself with light, small clouds of pale pink tubular flowers. These then turn into small red fruits. If you remove the fruits, a second flowering may occur in September and October. This bush reaches 1.5 metres in height and 1 metre in width, making it well-suited for pot cultivation. Its soft green foliage is deciduous, but in mild climates, it becomes semi-evergreen.

This ceanothus is robust, hardy, and low-maintenance. It thrives in well-drained soil, with low lime content, and enjoys full sun or partial shade. When grown in a container, it requires regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings, and an application of organic fertiliser in spring as well as after fruit removal. It withstands temperatures down to -15°C and should be sheltered during severe frosts.

Ceanothus pallidus ‘Marie Rose’

The 'Dark Star' ceanothus, an exceptional cobalt blue.

The ceanothus ‘Dark Star’ is a hybrid variety of the Santa Barbara lilac and is among the most beautiful varieties. It stands out with its extraordinary cobalt blue flowers that bloom in May and June. Its foliage is evergreen and a lovely glossy dark green. This bush with a spreading habit reaches 1.75 metres at ripeness and has a span of 2.50 metres.

Hardy down to -7°C in pots, the ceanothus ‘Dark Star’ tolerates summer drought as well as poor, clayey, or calcareous substrates, provided they remain well-drained. Plant it in a mixture of soil and sand and water in summer when the soil is dry. You can apply fertiliser before flowering and protect it from frost if necessary.

Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’

For further reading

Other small ceanothus can be grown in pots, such as Ceanothus thyrsiflorus repens, ceanothus x ‘Blue Moond’, or ceanothus ‘Blue Sapphire’. Discover our full range of ceanothus for inspiration.