<em>Ceanothus</em>: how to choose your Californian lilac

Evergreen or deciduous?

Genus Ceanothus includes more than 50 species as well as around a hundred hybrids and cultivars, among which are:

• Evergreen Ceanothus: they are not very hardy (down to -7/-10°C), appreciate mild maritime climates and keep their foliage in winter and flower in spring from March–April to June. They can suffer frost in colder regions with wet winters.
• Deciduous Ceanothus or Summer Ceanothus: they grow throughout France, flower all summer from July to October and tolerate cold better (down to -15°C). However, foliage can sometimes suffer from as little as -5°C. In mild climates, they are semi-evergreen.

Our favourite evergreen Ceanothus

Ceanothus Skylark

Attractive all year, this bush suits mixed borders, informal hedges, as a specimen or in a pot on balconies and terraces.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 2 m

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Ceanothus impressus Victoria

Of medium stature, it quickly forms a mass of dark, glossy foliage that persists through winter and is covered in unusually mauve-blue flowers.

• Flowering time May to November
• Height at maturity 2 m

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Our favourite summer Ceanothus

Ceanothus delilianus Gloire de Versailles

A classic! This handsome, dense and vigorous bush is ideal for shrub borders or small informal hedges.

• Flowering time August to October
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

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Ceanothus delilianus Henri Desfossé

A low-spreading cultivar! It makes a very attractive display in beds or on sunny slopes.

• Flowering time September to November
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

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Ceanothus with uniquely coloured flowers

Whether deciduous or evergreen, Ceanothus are among those particularly floriferous bushes that offer the most beautiful blue flowers in gardens, ranging from sky-blue to indigo, including navy blue or bright blue. Some varieties are covered with a pretty flowering in clusters pale pink or white.

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Millerton Point

This variety bears a creamy-white flowering, with a delicate honey scent on attractive evergreen green foliage. Perfect in a romantic-inspired bush border or a white garden.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 2 m

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Ceanothus pallidus Marie Simon

This variety is covered with a pretty flowering in pale pink clusters.

• Flowering time August to October
• Height at maturity 1,75 m

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Choose pruning

Ceanothus adopt very diverse forms depending on species. Some are prostrate and will not exceed 40 cm in height at ripeness and are ideal for rockeries or as groundcover whereas others such as Ceanothus arboreus are valued for their erect habit and large size (4 m tall) which allows excellent use as specimens.

Largest Ceanothus

They are best planted as specimens, for example in the middle of a short grass meadow, to showcase their silhouette or in a bed of bushes.

Ceanothus arboreus Concha

This large bush with a very rounded habit makes a magnificent specimen, planted alone or in a bed of bushes.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 3 m

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Ceanothus Trewithen Blue - California Lilac

This variety is notable for its large size. It lends itself to excellent use as a specimen.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 4 m

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Best varieties for pot planting

Smaller Ceanothus are perfect for pot planting on a terrace.

Ceanothus foliosus Italian Skies

One of the easiest Ceanothus varieties to grow! Its elegant habit, not exceeding 1 m in height, easily fits in a large pot on a terrace.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 1 m

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Ceanothus pallidus Marie-rose

Compact in size, this variety will beautify balconies and terraces when planted in a large container.

• Flowering time July to November
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

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Most floriferous

Some evergreen varieties of Ceanothus offer, in the mildest climates, perpetual flowering in September-October.

Ceanothus impressus Victoria

This bush is prized for its spring flowering, as generous as it is striking. In mild climates, it can flower all summer. In Mediterranean climate, it offers a slight perpetual flowering in September-October!

• Flowering time May to November
• Height at maturity 2 m

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Ceanothus Blue Diamond

Foliage of this small evergreen Ceanothus disappears in spring beneath an avalanche of fragrant clusters of vivid, deep-blue flowers.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 90 cm

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For a groundcover

Certain Ceanothus species stand out for their trailing, more or less spreading habit. Their arching branches trail in cascades and are used as groundcover, or to cover a dry bank, a low wall or a rockery. In just a few years they form an easy-to-grow, floriferous shrub and decorative all year round.

Ceanothus prostratus

This Ceanothus forms a very bright green tapetum topped with lavender-blue flowers, spreading over 2 m or more. Decorative all year round, it finds its place above a low wall or in a rockery.

• Flowering time May to July
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis Yankee Point

It forms a magnificent, substantial groundcover covered with delightfully fragrant, very bright blue flowers. Attractive all year round with its evergreen foliage, it excels on large banks.

• Flowering time May to July
• Height at maturity 1 m

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Ceanothus thyrsiflorus repens - Californian Lilac

With its habit tapetum, it is a good groundcover, ideal in rockeries or as an edging.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 1 m

See the product sheet

Further information:

• Discover our tips: When and how to prune Ceanothus?