Ceanothus Autumnal Blue

The 'Autumnal Blue' Ceanothus is a hardy evergreen variety that can withstand temperatures as low as -7°C. It has a late brilliant and bright sky-blue flowering in panicles of 5 to 8cm (2 to 3.1in). This bushy Ceanothus has an upright habit and quickly reaches its mature size of 3m (10ft) tall with a spread of 2.5m (8ft). Its charming small glossy leaves are elliptical and dentate. As it tolerates poor soil, drought, and salt spray, the Ceanothus is particularly suitable for coastal and urban gardens. It thrives in warm and sunny locations and is best planted in regions with a mild climate, otherwise, it should be planted in a sheltered spot and trained against a south-facing wall.

Ceanothus belongs to the Rhamnaceae family and grows in dry and well-drained environments such as scrub vegetation. Once well-established, it can survive on rainfall alone. Constant moisture or daily or excessive watering after the plant is established will generally lead to its demise.

The 'Autumnal Blue' Ceanothus is a horticultural hybrid from Burkwood, England. The shrub has an initially upright habit, becoming bushy and sometimes a bit scruffy when left to its own devices. It grows rapidly but is relatively short-lived, living for no more than ten years. Its bright sky-blue flowers can appear in July in northern areas and from August to October elsewhere, in the form of panicles measuring 5 to 8cm (2 to 3.1in) at the tips of the branches. This abundant flowering attracts many pollinating insects at a time of year when there are fewer flowers available. It is followed by the formation of seeds which are explosively released. The evergreen foliage is composed of small alternate leaves measuring 3 to 4cm (1.2 to 1.6in) in length. This variety can tolerate light pruning of faded flowers and awkward branches.

Because of the ongoing love of blue flowers, horticulturists have 'invented' beautiful varieties of Ceanothus in recent years, which are easier to acclimatize and have smaller dimensions, suitable for our gardens and terraces. With good hardiness down to -7°C (19.4°F) in well-drained or dry soil, and very tolerant, the 'Autumnal Blue' Ceanothus is a beautiful plant, planted individually or in a mass planting of easy-care shrubs such as the Buddleia officinalis (pale pink, from February), the Fremontodendron californicum (April-May-June), the coronillas (April), shrubby cistus (Cistus laurifolius, May), as well as junipers and strawberry trees. The golden foliage of the Choisya ternata 'Goldfinger' placed in the foreground will contrast beautifully with its blue flowers. In a wild-style garden, consider associating it with the free-growing forms of Spanish broom, silver elaeagnus, rosemary, and pampas grasses, as well as the spiky silhouettes of yuccas. It can be used in mass plantings, as an informal hedge, in a dry garden or in coastal areas.