Ceanothus Pacific Wave

The Ceanothus 'Pacific Wave' is a true gem for gardens in not-too-harsh climates. Its small, evergreen leaves of a beautiful dark green serve as a setting for the generous flowering of an intense cobalt blue, which begins in May. Its compact and low habit, twice as wide as it is tall, makes it an ideal plant for covering a slope or occupying the front of a shrub border. This superb plant that attracts all eyes adapts to poor soil, tolerates drought and sea spray, and is perfectly suited to coastal and southern climates due to its moderate hardiness, around -10°C for an established plant. Well-drained soil without excess lime and a sunny location are the keys to its success in the garden. Container cultivation is also possible if soil conditions are not favourable.

Ceanothus belong to the Rhamnaceae family which includes about fifty genera, the best known in our gardens certainly being the Rhamnus (Buckthorn), while enthusiasts in southern Europe like to plant the Jujube tree (Ziziphus) for its appreciated fruits. The Ceanothus genus includes 55 species, all native to North America, and mostly from the Pacific coastal regions, especially Californian (hence their common name of California Lilac), and extending down to Mexico and even Guatemala. The Ceanothus 'Pacific Wave' is a horticultural creation by Australian David Glenn, active at Lambley Nursery in the state of Victoria, in the southeast of the continent. This variety has the interesting characteristic of developing significantly more in width than in height, forming at maturity a cushion 80 cm high with a 1.50 m spread. It forms stems of small diameter, but somewhat stiff, well-branched, brown at the base and green at the tips. They are adorned with small ovate leaves, approximately 3 cm long by 2 to 2.5 cm wide. Of a satiny dark green, they have well-marked characteristic veins and are evergreen. This somewhat dark foliage wonderfully highlights the flowering from May. Panicles 5 to 8 cm long then form, made up of small flowers of an intense cobalt blue. Extremely floriferous, the bush is literally covered in blue until June, sometimes even July, creating a real attraction in the garden, both for its fascinating colour and the abundance of its flowering. Of relatively rapid growth, the Ceanothus however, does not live very long, most often only about ten years, as if the abundance of its flowering eventually overcomes its vital energy... but what a spectacle in spring!

While it particularly fears excess lime and clay which cause poor drainage conditions, the Ceanothus 'Pacific Wave' on the other hand tolerates heat and drought very well, as well as sea spray and urban pollution. Reserved for climates where frosts only occasionally drop to -10°C, it can be grown in a large container elsewhere or in unfavourable soil conditions. In cold climates, you can thus combine it with citrus trees like the Kumquat or with flowering pots of Agapanthus to create a summer scene that you will take care to overwinter protected from severe frosts. In regions with a mild climate, your Ceanothus will be perfectly showcased on a slope, and you can also combine it in a border with other exotic shrubs like the Callistemon whose bottlebrush flowers, often red or pink depending on the variety, will form a striking contrast with the blue of the 'Pacific Wave'. Also consider extending your border's flowering season into summer by planting staggered blooms, such as the Buddleia (x) weyeriana 'Sungold' with its astonishing spherical orange-yellow inflorescences from August to October, and obviously the Lagerstroemias, or Crape Myrtles. Not only is the palette of floral colours very wide, ranging from white to violet through all shades of pink and red, but moreover some varieties display purple foliage which will give even more appeal to your scene.