Summer Ceanothus

A selection of summer Ceanothus or California Lilac with summer flowering. These are usually the deciduous varieties that bloom in summer, like the Ceanothus 'Gloire de Versailles' with clusters of pale blue flowers or 'Marie Simon' with pink flowers. The flowers of Ceanothus are very small, but they are grouped together in pretty clusters, which can also be white (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Millerton Point'), depending on the variety. They can have a creeping, rounded, or upright habit, offering a wide diversity of forms. Deciduous varieties with summer flowering, more cold-resistant than their evergreen counterparts, are, however, less resistant to summer drought. Ceanothus requires little maintenance, except for pruning in March for deciduous varieties. It is most often used as a shrub border or free-standing hedge. Its beautiful flowering attracts bees and many pollinating insects.