Ceanothus thyrsiflorus El Dorado

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'El Dorado' is an original variety of California lilac, which stands out for its variegated yellow-green foliage. This evergreen bush of medium stature remains ornamental all year round because of its beautiful foliage. Its spring flowering in small clusters of deep blue, contrasts wonderfully with its bright foliage. With its upright and bushy habit, it will be perfect for brightening up a dark wall, which will in turn protect it from cold winds in winter. It tolerates both sun and summer drought, and remains quite sensitive to cold suffering as soon as the temperature drops below -7°C(-19.5°F).

Ceanothus 'El Dorado', sometimes known as 'Perado', is a horticultural variety obtained in the UK at the Pershore College of Horticulture in 1996. The Ceanothus thyrsiflorus is a botanical species endemic to California and the state of Oregon. Ceanothus belong to the family Rhamnaceae, they are relatives of our alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus), growing in scrub vegetation and relying on rainwater, once established.

'El Dorado' is an upright bush, supported by flexible branches that slightly arch towards the ground; it is a dense and regular shrub that can reach 3m (10ft) in height, with a spread of 2.50m (8ft). Its blue flower buds appear in April-May, depending on the climate grouped in small dense panicles at the tips of last year's branches. They blossom into light blue flowers in small clusters. This remarkably fragrant flowering is rich in nectar and is followed by the formation of seeds which are explosively released. The evergreen foliage is composed of small alternate, elongated and finely toothed leaves, a shiny dark green colour edged with lemon yellow and measuring 1 to 2cm (0.4 to 0.8in) long. Its average lifespan is 15 to 20 years, and it prefers a maritime climate.

The Ceanothus 'El Dorado' is a beautiful specimen to plant individually on a terrace, not far from the front door or against a low wall. It can also be mixed with a mass of easy-to-grow bushes which will precede or complement its magnificent flowering while contrasting with its astonishing foliage. It can be placed in a flower bed, an informal hedge, in a seaside or Mediterranean garden. In Mediterranean climates, there will be a small rebloom in September-October. Evergreen ceanothus are a boon for sandy coastal gardens, scorching rockeries, and sometimes arid areas which can be difficult to design. The 'El Dorado' cultivar, with its lighter foliage, will appreciate a shaded exposure during the hottest hours of the afternoon. This semi-hardy bush can freeze in cold regions with humid winters. It tolerates salt spray and drought when well-established.