Ceanothus impressus Victoria

Ceanothus impressus Victoria is a recent variety of ceanothus, appreciated for its extremely dense habit, rapid growth, and brilliant spring flowering. This evergreen bush quickly forms a mound of dark and shiny foliage that transforms in early spring into a true ball covered with intense blue-mauve flowers. In moist soil, it will bloom again during the summer, for several months. Tolerating sun and drought, Ceanothus Victoria tolerates pruning well and can withstand temperatures as low as -12°C (10.4°F). Evergreen ceanothus are a boon for sandy coastal gardens, scorching rockeries, and arid places that can sometimes be challenging to landscape.

Ceanothus Victoria is a horticultural hybrid, derived from Ceanothus impressus, a botanic species native to California. Ceanothus belongs to the Rhamnaceae family and is related to our alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus), living in scrub vegetation, which rely on rainwater once established.

The 'Impressus' variety has a bushy habit, slightly spreading, particularly dense, sometimes a bit unkempt when left to itself; it is a bush that will reach on average 1.75m (6ft) to 2m (7ft) in all directions. Its pretty reddish-pinkish flower buds appear abundantly in March-April, at the end of the branches, mingling in April-May with small dense panicles of fully bloomed flowers of an intense blue, giving an overall almost indigo impression. In oceanic climates, the plant can flower all summer. In Mediterranean climates, there will be a small bloom again in September-October. This fragrant flowering attracts many pollinating insects. It is followed by the formation of seeds which are released explosively. The evergreen foliage is composed of small alternate, elongated and finely toothed, shiny dark green leaves 1 to 3cm (0.4 to 1.2in) long. This variety tolerates pruning. Its average lifespan is 15 to 20 years, and its preferred climate will be maritime. This Victoria variety tolerates pruning well, which is not the case for all ceanothus.

Because the love for blue blooms will never fade away, horticulturists have 'invented' new varieties of ceanothus in recent years that are easier to acclimate and of more modest size, adapted to our gardens and terraces. With good hardiness down to -10°C/-12°C (10.4°F) in well-drained soil and tolerating slightly chalky soils if they are light, Ceanothus Victoria is a magnificent subject to plant alone or in a mass of easy-to-grow shrubs which will precede or take over its magnificent flowering: the Buddleia officinalis (pale pink, from February), the Fremontodendron californicum (in April-May-June), shrubby coronillas, rock roses (Cistus laurifolius, in May), or even junipers and strawberry trees. It can be placed in a group or an informal hedge, as well as by the seaside.