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Ceanothus Blue Sapphire

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens Blue Sapphire
California Lilac, Carmel Ceanothus

4,6/5
9 reviews
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Received this morning, its spot was waiting for it, it's all set up and I hope it will be happy there because it's truly decorative with its tiny green leaves tinged with burgundy, exactly like in the photo! It hasn't suffered at all from the journey as the contents of the box were perfectly secured and nothing moved: well done and a big thank you to those who thought of any possible mishaps during the trip.

Mi , 18/09/2024

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

Value-for-money
This variety is exceptionally beautiful with its fine, toothed foliage in dark green-purple shades and its long flowering in small clusters of intense sapphire blue. Its medium-sized bushy habit and creeping nature make it a perfect plant for hedgerows, borders, containers, as ground cover on a slope, or to spread along a wall. Preferring dry, poor soil and tolerating salt spray and pollution, this wall shrub is suitable for coastal and urban gardens. Provide it with a warm, sunny position. Suitable for regions with a mild climate or well-sheltered locations, trained against a south-facing wall.
Flower size
6 cm
Height at maturity
1 m
Spread at maturity
1.50 m
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -12°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time March, September
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October
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Flowering time April to July
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Description

Ceanothus 'Blue Sapphire' is exceptionally beautiful with its fine, toothed foliage in a dark deep purple-green colour and its long flowering in small clusters of intense sapphire blue. Its bushy habit and creeping character make it a perfect plant for low hedges, borders and containers, as well as ground cover on a slope or to spread along a wall. It withstands poor soils, drought, and sea spray so this ceanothus thrives in coastal and urban gardens, provided it is given a warm and sunny position, without excess limestone and excess water. Reserved for regions with a mild climate or well-sheltered locations, trained against a south-facing wall.

Ceanothus belongs to the Rhamnaceae family, it is a cousin of our buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and grows in dry, well-drained environments such as scrub vegetation, relying on rainfall once well-rooted. Constantly damp soil or too frequent watering, once the plant is established, will generally result in its demise. Native to North America and Mexico, its relative Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens, also known as creeping ceanothus, forms a 3m (10ft) wide and 1m (3.28ft) tall bush which is hardy down to -10°C (14°F), with a bushy and spreading habit, and angular branches. It bears alternate, evergreen, glossy green, leaves with highly pronounced veins.

The creeping 'Blue Sapphire' ceanothus is a fast-growing bush reaching 1m (3ft) in height and 1.50m (5ft) in width when mature. It is a relatively short-lived bush, living no more than ten years. Its extremely rare coloured, intensely sapphire blue flowers appear from April to July in the form of 5 to 8cm (2 to 3.1in) panicles, in the axils and at the tips of the branches followed by the formation of seeds which are explosively released. This variety tolerates very light pruning of faded flowers and obstructive branches.

Because of an ongoing love for blue blooms, breeders have 'invented' beautiful ceanothus varieties in recent years, which are easier to acclimatize and have more modest dimensions, suitable for our gardens and terraces. The 'Blue Sapphire' Ceanothus is a beautiful subject to plant in a mass of easy-to-grow shrubs: the Buddleia officinalis (pale pink, from February), the Fremontodendron californicum (in April-May-June), the coronillas (in April), shrubby rockroses (Cistus laurifolius, in May), as well as junipers and strawberry trees. The golden foliage of the Choisya ternata 'Goldfinger' and the yellow blooms of St. John's Wort will contrast beautifully with its intense blue flowers. In a wild-style garden, consider associating it with the looser habits of Spanish brooms, silvery elaeagnus, rosemary, and pampas grasses, as well as the spiky silhouettes of yuccas.

 

Ceanothus Blue Sapphire in pictures

Ceanothus Blue Sapphire (Flowering) Flowering
Ceanothus Blue Sapphire (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1 m
Spread at maturity 1.50 m
Habit spreading
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour blue
Flowering time April to July
Inflorescence Panicle
Flower size 6 cm
Fragrance slightly scented, honey
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Ceanothus

Species

thyrsiflorus var. repens

Cultivar

Blue Sapphire

Family

Rhamnaceae

Other common names

California Lilac, Carmel Ceanothus

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference8773511

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Planting and care

Place Ceanothus in a sunny or partially shaded position (in a warm region), in ordinary soil that must be moist to dry in summer and well-drained. This variety can withstand brief frosts of around -10°C once mature. It tolerates heavy soils very well if they are dry in summer. Be cautious of cold drafts which the bush does not like, it can be placed near a wall.

Plant it all year round if frost-free, mixing your garden soil with compost, coarse sand, gravel, perlite, or any material that does not retain moisture. Water generously once or twice a week to promote establishment. In hot and dry climates, planting in early autumn is preferable. Only water twice a month from the third year onwards, and only in case of summer drought. This is a plant that requires very little maintenance and grows easily as long as the required conditions are met. Moisture in the soil during the winter period, as well as in summer, is harmful to the plant. The combination of heat and humidity leads to the development of a fungus that attacks the bush's collar and is fatal. Therefore, in affected soils, it is better to plant the Ceanothus on a mound. You can lightly prune the stems after flowering to encourage the plant to branch out. Fertilizer application is not recommended (just add a little bonemeal at the bottom of the planting hole).

 

Pot cultivation:

Use a lightweight potting mix, a mix of garden soil, coarse sand, and compost. In summer, water abundantly but only when the soil is dry. The plant can be stored in a cool and bright place, with little or no heating, protected from severe frosts over winter. Apply a slow-release fertilizer in spring and autumn.

Planting period

Best planting time March, September
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -12°C (USDA zone 8a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Ordinary, well-drained, non-chalky soil.

Care

Pruning instructions This bush does not require pruning, however, you can remove faded flowers and dead wood to maintain the compact shape of the plant.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time August to September
Soil moisture Dry soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,6/5
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